What is drainage? You will find the answer to this question in the materials of this article. In addition, we will tell you how this method is implemented in
medical practice and why it is needed.
General information
Drainage in medicine is a therapeutic method, which consists in bringing out the contents of wounds, hollow organs, abscesses, as well as pathological or natural cavities of the body.
Full and proper drainage can provide a sufficient outflow of exudate and create the best conditions for the fastest rejection of dead tissue with the transition of the healing process into the regenerative phase.
Drainage in medicine has practically no contraindications. By the way, this method has another undeniable advantage in the process of purulent antibacterial or surgical therapy, which consists in the possibility of a targeted fight against wound infection.
Effective drainage conditions
In order to produce effective drainage (in medicine), specialists determine its nature, choose the method of drainage that is optimal for each case, as well as the use of medications for flushing cavities (respectively microflora). An important role in this practice is played by the proper maintenance of the drainage system and the observance of asepsis rules.
With what is carried out?
Drainage in medicine is carried out using glass, rubber or plastic tubes of various diameters and sizes. In addition, glove graduates, specially made plastic strips, gauze swabs, as well as catheters and soft probes, which are inserted into a drained cavity or wound, are sometimes required.
How is it made?
You already know what drainage is. However, not everyone knows how this procedure is carried out. It should be noted that the methods of its implementation are always different and depend on the type of wounds formed and the device used. So, for the treatment of deep and large wounds, drainage with gauze swabs is used. To do this, a square piece of gauze is inserted into the purulent cavity, which is sewn in the center with silk thread. It is thoroughly straightened, and then all walls and the bottom of the wound are covered. Further, the cavity was loosely swabbed with gauze swabs soaked in advance in a hypertonic solution of sodium chloride. At the same time, it is recommended to change them every 4-6 hours in order to prevent tissue damage. In conclusion, gauze should be removed from the wound by pulling on a silk thread.
Other drainage methods
It should be noted that gauze tampons and rubber graduates are rarely used to treat purulent cavities. For example, the last device does not have suction properties at all. It is clogged with detritus and pus, covered with mucus, thereby causing inflammation in the surrounding tissues.
Thus, in order to properly drain purulent wounds, specialists began to use special tubular devices. They can be single or multiple, double, complex, etc.
Drainage after surgery (surgical wounds) involves the use of silicone tubes. In terms of their elastic-elastic properties, transparency and hardness, they occupy an intermediate position between polyvinyl chloride and latex devices. Moreover, they significantly surpass them in biological inertness. This fact allows to increase the duration of drainage in postoperative wounds. It should also be noted that they can be repeatedly sterilized using hot air and autoclaving.
Drainage requirements
This process should be carried out in compliance with all prescribed rules, namely:
- Careful adherence to asepsis. This may include a change or removal of drainage, especially if inflammatory changes have appeared around the wound. It should be specially noted that the possibility of infection penetrating into the cavity is reduced by exactly two times if the product used is replaced with a sterile one during the day.
- Drainage of cavities and purulent wounds should ensure the outflow of fluid throughout the duration of therapy. Indeed, the loss of used funds can cause serious complications that aggravate the outcome of the operation. The prevention of this situation is achieved through careful fixation of the drainage with a bandage, an outer cover, a silk seam, a leukoplast or a rubber sleeve that is worn on the drainage tube.
- In no case should the drainage system bend or squeeze. Moreover, the drainage should be located optimally. In other words, the outflow of fluid should not be carried out only by giving the patient a certain position in bed.
- Ongoing drainage should not cause any complications (damage to large vessels and tissues, pain, etc.).