Is it typical for your medical assistants to remove surgical drains?

Question

Hello, I’m having a mommy makeover on Monday. During my pre-op visit a MA who referred to herself as a “nurse” informed me that my 1 week post-op visit would be with her for to remove drains and sutures. I’m an RN and my husband is a physician and we found this odd. Is it typical for your medical assistants to remove surgical drains and for you to not see your patients till 4 weeks post op? Thanks.

Emmanuel De La Cruz, MD · Answer

In many medical settings, including surgical practices, trained medical assistants often assist in various aspects of patient care, including removing surgical drains under the supervision or guidance of the surgeon. However, the exact responsibilities and tasks delegated to medical assistants can vary based on state regulations, the specific policies of the medical practice, and the surgeon's preferences.

Removing surgical drains is a delicate procedure that requires proper training and adherence to specific protocols to ensure patient comfort and safety. Surgeons often train their medical assistants or nursing staff to carry out drain removals following established guidelines.

Before any procedure or care task, it's essential for the surgeon to assess the patient's progress, determine the appropriate time for drain removal, and provide instructions to the medical assistant on the specific steps and timing for removal. The surgeon may also be available on-site or on-call to supervise or assist if needed.

Ultimately, while it's not uncommon for medical assistants to be involved in drain removal, the responsibility for patient care and the decision-making process typically rests with the surgeon, who ensures that all procedures are performed safely and effectively.

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Hi & thanks for your question.
It is  common for MA'S to remove drains and sutures. They are trained in all areas of taking care of surgical patients. Unless you have a problem , your surgeon will see you 3 to 4 weeks post surgery. Best wishes!

Corey Harkins, MD · Answer

I remove all of my own drains. While exceedingly rare, there can be sudden bleeding upon drain removal which would require a physician to be ready and available. Also, if there was resistance upon removal, and this was ignored, a portion of the drain can break - and this only comes with experience. More concerning is that follow up is 1 month after surgery? Depending on the surgery, I always see patients within 8 days post-op. Best of luck to you. -Dr. Harkins

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

All plastic surgeons will have different recommendations in the postoperative period, but I strongly advise my patient to come to follow-up visits so that I can assess how they are doing and evaluate for fluid collections, infection, or other issues. My surgery technicians phone patients the day after surgery to answer any questions and determine if I need to contact them. Patients see me on the 3rd day after surgery and at 4 weeks and at 3 to 6 months. If there are ever any issues with healing, my patients contact me through both email and by calling the office. For out-of-town-patients, follow-ups are scheduled based upon their travel arrangements.

Warren Schutte, MD · Answer

Hello, in my practice I see all surgical patients at 1 day post op. We also see patients at 1 week, 2 weeks, 6-8 weeks, 6 mon and any other time that there is concern or question about anything. My RN's take out all drains and sutures and will commonly see patients at post op appointments if I am in surgery (patients are always aware of this and if they wish to see me, we reschedule). By the time 1 mon post op comes around, I have seen my patients 1-3 times. 
Hope this helps

Vishnu Rumalla, MD · Answer

Thanks for your inquiry, I personally make it a priority to see my patient often during their post-operative visits, sometimes even that first night or usually beginning the next day--that being said is not uncommon for some surgeons to delegate their post-operative care to their staff.  Though I personally see my patients at most of their visits, my MAs, first assistant, and nurse all help remove drains, do dressing changes, and coordinate post-operative woundcare, good luck.

Luis A. Mejia, MD · Answer

Dear Keiley111, Thanks for sharing your question, each practice is different, and on Medical assistants duties implies remove surgical drain and so much more things, but it is not unusual for the surgeon not to be present at every post operative visit. Make sure you go on consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Hope this helps and best of lucks! Dr. Luis Mejia.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Keiley111,
every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question.  Each practice will have their own policies and postoperative protocol.  I do everything for my patients so much will depend on your specific surgeon.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

I appreciate your concerns and each surgeon has a different postoperative protocol. 
Some physicians have their postop patients seen by nurses during the first postop visit, and many of these nurses are experienced and do an excellent job. I do think it is unusual for you not to be seen by your surgeon until the fourth week postop.
I personally prefer to see my patients immediately postop and during ensuing visits and I usually remove drains and sutures myself, but I also may sometimes ask my nurse to do so while I am standing by. I do think that you should address this issue of not being seen by your surgeon for four weeks with your plastic surgeon and explain that you are a nurse and your husband is a physician and it is extremely odd! Best of luck!