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Jackson-Pratt Drain

A Jackson-Pratt drain (or JP drain) is made of a thin rubber tube inserted into a soft, round squeeze bulb with a removable stopper. It is used to remove fluid that can collect inside your body after surgery, infection, or injury.

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A Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain is used to remove fluids that build up in areas of your body after surgery or when you have an infection. The JP drain is made up of 2 parts: A thin rubber tube A soft round squeeze bulb The rubber tube is placed in the area of your body where fluids may build up. The other end comes out through a small incision (cut). A squeeze bulb is attached to this end. Ask your doctor or nurse before you take a shower when you have this drain. You may be asked to take a sponge bath until the drain is remove

Reasons for Procedure Fluid that collects inside the body can increase the chance of infection or other complications. The JP drain is placed routinely after some kinds of surgery if large amounts of drainage are expected. Also, a JP drain is often used to drain an abscess in the abdomen. Abscesses from Diverticulitis

2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. Possible Complications Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a JP drain inserted, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
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Bleeding Infection

What to Expect Prior to Procedure Leading up to the procedure: If you have been injured, your doctor may order imaging tests to see the fluid that has collected. These tests may include: o CT scan a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures inside the body o MRI scan a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the body y Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, like: o Anti-inflammatory drugs (eg, aspirin) o Blood thinners, such as clopidogrel (Plavix) or warfarin (Coumadin) y Do not eat or drink anything for eight hours before surgery. y Arrange for a ride home from the hospital.
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Anesthesia General anesthesia will be used. It will block any pain and keep you asleep through the surgery. Description of the Procedure Once you are under anesthesia, your doctor will make an incision in your skin. The end of the drain tubing will be placed into the area where fluid has collected. The other end of the tubing will be connected to the squeeze bulb outside of your body. The doctor will remove the stopper from the bulb, squeeze it to create suction inside the drain system, and replace the stopper. This suction will pull the unwanted fluid out of your body. The doctor will then close the skin over the drain. If you are having surgery, this JP drain will be inserted at the end of the operation. Immediately After Procedure If you are staying in the hospital, the nurses will care for and empty your drain. How Long Will It Take? 15-20 minutes to place the JP drain How Much Will It Hurt? You may have mild to moderate pain where the JP drain is placed. Ask your doctor about medicine to help with the pain. Average Hospital Stay This procedure is done in a hospital setting. The length of stay depends on the type of surgery you are having. You may be able to go home the same day if the surgery is minor. Post-procedure Care When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
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Be sure to follow your doctor s instructions . Learn how to empty and care for the drain at home. Ask your doctor if you can walk around with the JP drain. Avoid bumping the drain. Sleep on the side opposite of the drain. This will help you to avoid blocking the tubing or pulling it out of the suction bulb.

Ask your doctor what problems to watch for and when you should return for a follow-up appointment.

Removal of a drain depends on how fast you heal from the surgery or injury. Your doctor may remove the drain when there is less than 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 milliliters) of fluid per day being drained. If you have more than one drain, they may not be removed at the same time. Call Your Doctor Jackson Pratt Drain Care What is a Jackson Pratt drain? Jackson Pratt Drain Care Care Guide
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Jackson Pratt Drain Care Jackson Pratt Drain Care Aftercare Instructions Jackson Pratt Drain Care Discharge Care En Espanol

A Jackson Pratt drain, or JP drain, is used to remove fluids that build up in areas of your body. Unwanted fluid can collect in areas of infection, areas where surgery has been done, or in other body areas. The JP drain is made up of a thin rubber tube and a soft round squeeze bulb. One end of the rubber tube is placed in the area where body fluids may build up. The other end sticks out of your body through a small incision (cut), and is connected to the squeeze bulb.

How does a Jackson Pratt drain work? The JP drain removes fluids by creating suction (pulling) in the tube. To produce suction, the bulb is pressed flat and is connected to the tube sticking out of your body. Suction is created as the bulb sucks in air from the tube going into your body. This pulls fluid out from the area where the drain was placed and into the rubber tubing. The fluid then travels through the tubing and into the bulb of the JP drain. As the JP drain bulb fills with fluid, it goes back to its round shape. Why do I need a Jackson Pratt drain? When fluid builds up in a body area, the area may not heal as fast as it should, or an infection may start. Too much fluid in a body area may also cause pain and swelling. Using a JP drain after surgery may help you heal faster and decrease your risk of getting an infection. The JP drain also helps clear away pus and may help infections heal faster. A JP drain may be used after surgery on your spine to check if spinal fluid is leaking, and collect it. JP drains may also be used after skin flap surgery and skin grafting. When is a Jackson Pratt drain removed? The amount of fluid that comes out of the surgery or wound area and into the JP drain will decrease as the area heals. In most cases, the drain will need to stay in place until less than 30 milliliters (about two tablespoons) of fluid are draining from it in a day. Your caregiver will keep track of how much fluid is draining into the JP drain, and he will tell you when the drain will be taken out. If you are caring for your JP drain at home, you will need to keep track of the amount of fluid that you are emptying from the drain. What are the risks of having a Jackson Pratt drain? If a JP drain is not taken care of correctly, it may allow germs to enter your body and cause an infection. If the drain is placed after certain types of surgery, you may get an infection if it stays in your body longer than it is needed. If you get an infection, you may have more pain and swelling, and your wound will heal more slowly, or it may not heal at all. The end of the tubing inside your body may get blocked with blood or other materials. If this happens, the bulb cannot correctly suction fluids. You may develop a fistula (unwanted tunnel), or the drain may make a hole in your intestine. If you have a drain after skin flap or skin graft surgery, the tissue may not heal. How do I take care of the skin around my Jackson Pratt drain entry site? Change bandages at the JP drain entry site every day to keep it clean and dry. Your caregiver will tell you if you need to do this more often. Collect the following items and place them where they can be reached easily:

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Two pairs of clean medical gloves. A clean container. 5 to 6 new cotton swabs. New gauze pads. Saline solution or soap and water. Plastic trash bag. Surgical tape. Waterproof pad or bath towel.

Follow these steps to care for your skin around the JP drain entry site:
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Wash your hands with soap and water. Dry your hands and put on clean gloves. Loosen the tape and gently remove the old bandage. Throw the old bandage into a plastic trash bag. Look for any new redness, swelling, or pus at the place where the drain enters your skin. Check for a foul (bad) smell coming from the area. Tell caregivers if you see any of these changes. Make sure the stitches that attach the JP drain to your skin are tight. Tell caregivers if they are loose or missing. Place a waterproof pad or towel under the JP drain to soak up any spills. Pour a small amount of saline solution or clean water into a container. Dip a cotton swab in the solution once. Gently clean the skin around the drain, moving in circles. Start from the place where the drain enters your skin and clean outward in circles, moving away from the insertion site. Clean your skin 3 to 4 times, using a new swab each time. Let the skin dry. Take your gloves off and put on a clean pair. When the area is dry, put a new bandage around the JP tube entry site. Use surgical tape to hold it down against your skin. Tape the tubing down to the bandages. Attach the bulb to your clothing using a safety pin. Throw all used supplies in the trash bag along with your gloves. Wash your hands after you are finished.

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When do I empty the Jackson Pratt drain?

For the first 24 hours (one day) after most types of surgery, there will often be drainage coming out of the wound. Check the drain at least every four hours. Empty it if it is half full of fluid. Do not let the drain fill up any more than half full. After one day, empty your JP drain when it fills up half way, or every 8 to 12 hours even if it is not half full. After the drain is emptied, the empty bulb needs to be squeezed. This is done to keep the suction of the JP drain strong enough to pull out more fluid. How do I empty the Jackson Pratt drain? The following are general directions for emptying the JP drain bulb, and squeezing the bulb.Gather the following supplies, and place them where they can be easily reached:
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One pair of clean medical gloves. Clean measuring container. Cotton balls. Medical alcohol or alcohol swab. Notebook. Plastic trash bag.

Follow these steps to empty the JP drain:


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Wash your hands with soap and water. Dry your hands and put on clean gloves. Place a waterproof pad or towel under the JP drain to soak up any spills. Place the bulb lower than the wound to prevent fluid from going back into your body. Check the bulb for any holes or cracks. Remove the plug at one side of the bulb and pour the fluid into a measuring container. Do not touch the tip of the spout with the mouth of the collection cup or anything else. This keeps germs from getting inside the bulb and tubing. Clean the plug with a cotton ball dipped in alcohol, or an alcohol swab. Squeeze the bulb tightly while the plug is still off. Do not squeeze the bulb if the plug is in place. While the bulb is being squeezed, put the plug back to seal the bulb. If you cannot squeeze it and plug it at the same time, ask someone for help. You may also place the bulb on a hard surface, such as a table. Use your elbow or hand to press down hard on the bulb, and then stick the plug in it.

Measure the amount of fluid that came out of the JP drain bulb. Write down the amount, color, and odor of the fluid, and the date and time that you collected it. Use a piece of paper, a notebook, or JP drainage chart to keep track of this information. Flush the fluid down the toilet. Throw all used supplies in the trash bag along with your gloves. Wash your hands after you are finished.

What can I do to prevent problems with my JP drain?


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Always keep the bulb lower than the wound. This will stop the fluid from going back into your body. Do not pull on the tubing. This can loosen the stitches holding the drain to your skin, causing the drain to fall out.

When should I call my caregiver? Call your caregiver if:


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The fluid removed by the JP drain is cloudy, yellow, or foul-smelling. You have more swelling or redness where the drain enters your skin. You feel more pain in the area of your drain. You see holes or cracks in the tubing or bulb of the drain, or the drain is leaking.

When should I seek immediate help? Go to the nearest emergency room if:
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Liquid has suddenly stopped coming into the bulb of your JP drain. The JP drain starts filling up very quickly with bright red blood. The JP drain stitches come loose or break off. You have a fever (increased body temperature). Your bandages are soaked with blood. Your JP drain comes out.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about Jackson Pratt drains and how they are used. Make sure all your questions are answered. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what treatment will be best for you. You always have the right to refuse treatment. Copyright 2011. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you. Ads by Google

T-Tube Placement and Bile Drainage During liver-transplant surgery, the surgeon may find it necessary to place a small tube, called a T-tube, into the bile duct. The T-tube allows bile to drain out of the patient's body into a small pouch, known as a bile bag. The amount of bile, which varies in color from deep gold to dark green, can then be measured. If a Ttube is put in place, it may remain attached to a bile bag for a week or possibly longer. When the bile bag is removed the T-tube will be tied or capped. It will remain in place for several months so that it can be used for special testing. The T-tube is attached to the skin with a stitch. The dressing around the tube should be changed at least once daily, and more often if it becomes moist. The transplant nurse will show the patient how to change the dressing without pulling out the T-tube. Other drains may be in the patient's abdomen during the postoperative period. A common name for these drains is Jackson-Pratt (JP). They are used to drain fluid from around the liver. Generally, these drains are removed before the patient goes home.

Penrose Drain Penrose Drain The penrose drain is a type of surgical drain named after it s creator Dr Charles Bingham Penrose. The penrose drain was developed to promote drainage of blood and other fluids during and after surgery specifically on the area of the body that is being operated on. It has become popular because it is very efficient at draining liquids away from the area. This is important as for any surgery to be successful it can not be flooded with liquid. After surgery it matters because it helps to stop infection in the operated area and also makes the patient feel more comfortable. The penrose drain is actually portable this is important as it is often used in major surgeries, so having a portable drain allows the patient to go home earlier than they otherwise would. Since they are also easy to remove the patient can have it removed in their local clinic if they wish often saving long journeys and waits to get to hospital What is a Penrose Drain? A penrose drain is a small, thin rubber tube that is placed in the wound to drain the liquids. Usually this tube is connected to a bag or bladder to allow the liquids to be collected easily and cleanly. It is also useful as it means that what liquid, and the amount of it, can be easily quantified and studied. Usually there will be some sort of tab or pin that is used to help prevent the tube slipping too far into the wound, or too far away from it as to make it useless. As the wound heals the tube is gradually moved further from the deepest parts to allow full healing to take place. As with all surgical implants infection is a possibility. So it is important to keep the area clean and regularly change any bandages and material around the wound.

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