My drain is stuck!! Any other options??

Question

I got a TT and lipo 3 weeks ago out of town. I went to a BCPS in my area today b/c my drain is clogged. He said the drain needs to come out. I'm still releasing about 150 cc per day of fluid. I don't have an infection but he said unless I remove the drain within a few days I will. He said a seroma is better than an infection. He tried to pull the drain but it was stuck (it goes from the left side of my back and comes out near my right hip). He needs to remove it surgically he said. Any other options??

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, I'm sorry to hear you are going through this. The drain is old and needs to be removed to prevent infection. I suggest making an appointment to have the drain removed by pulling it out. Sometimes they get caught up in a stitch. Hopefully it will pull out but if not, surgery is likely warrented. I recommend seeing a BCPS who can provide the best treatment and care. Best Wishes to you.#stuckdrain  #caughtinstitch  #drainremoval

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question an I am sorry to hear about your drain difficulties.  There are various methods that can be employed to try and have the drain resume functioning, but if these do not work, close follow up will be needed to avoid infection as the fluid will start to exit from around the drain tube insertion site.  Drains can be left in place for several weeks without issues if properly maintained, but the greater concern is the apparent inability to have it removed.  Whether it was accidentally stitched in place, it is possible that you would need to have it removed surgically, but depending on the status of your healing, another drain may be able to be placed.  Best of luck

Winfield Hartley, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

It is incredibly unusual for a drain to become stuck to the point that it cannot be removed.  Often, it just needs a significant pull the break the seal and then it should slide right out.  I would only remove it surgically as a very last resort.

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear, thanks for your question and provided information as well. Do not worry, your drain can be removed easily and without surgery. Just go to your doctor, if it has to be removed, it will be.. If it's just clogged, with a syringed can be take out faster. Remember that to be taken out it has to be draining less than 50 cc's in 24 hours.

Robert F. Centeno, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Your drain has been in for a long time and does need to come out.  The longer it stays in the higher the risk of an infection.  Before going to surgery, I would ask the surgeon to try to remove it one more time with a steady, sustained strong pull.  This can be painful so take some pain medicine to the office visit with you.   While pulling, you can try to localize which suture it is caught up on so you know where to look first if you have to go in.  In about 50% of the cases the suture will break before the drain and it will come out whole without surgery.  In the other half, the drain breaks and part stays inside.  In the latter situation, then you definately have to go in to get it, but you may be able to use a more limited incision since you localized where it was caught up.  Hope that helps.  Good lluck!

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

If he cannot get it out, surgery may be the only option. If it were me, I would give it one more try the day before surgery, and pull on the drain until it either comes out or breaks.  If it comes out, no surgery needed. If it breaks, surgery will be needed.All the best.

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My drain is stuck!! Any other options??

Answers (6)

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