What are the red stringy pieces in my drainage tubes?

Question

What are the red stringy pieces in my drainage tubes? They are more obvious now that the fluid is getting more and more pale.

Ashley B. Robey, MD · Answer

You can get fibrinous debris and blood product residue in your drains; this is pretty normal. If you see any evidence of cloudy or malodorous drainage, you should be concerned. Stripping the drains by pinching the tube near your skin with one hand while milking the tube contents toward the bulb with the other hand can help to keep the drain from getting obstructed. If you have concerns, you can always take a picture and send it to your surgeon (or just meet with him or her).

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Hello,It sounds as though you are describing clotted blood. This is expected. Let your Plastic Surgeon know about any concerns,All the best

Richard J. Brown, MD · Answer

I assume you have been taught how to strip your drains. When you do that you will get stringy blood clots that come out. That is the point of stripping the drains. You want the stringy things to come out because that is what keeps the tube open so that the fluid can drain.Sincerely,DrRickAZ

Vasdev Rai, MD · Answer

Strings represent fluids that have now clotted in your drainage tubes. They can block flow. They need to be squeezed through to allow unrestricted flow through drainage tubes.

J. Michael Morrissey, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

Thank you for your question. The red stringy things in the drain tube is clotted blood. The blood as it congeals can assume the shape of the drain, and thus can become long and stringy. This is totally normal and, along with the drainage fluid getting more pale or straw colored, signifies that its getting close to time to pull the drains out. Pulling the drains out may feel a little weird, like being tickled under the skin, but is not painfull.Continued success in your recovery,Dr. Michael Morrissey

What are the red stringy pieces in my drainage tubes?

Answers (5)

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