A device inserted during surgery to draw fluid from an internal body cavity to the surface. A surgical drain is used to prevent fluid from accumulating inside the body during an operation. A surgical drain can ensure that any fluid formed during the procedure will immediately pass to the surface and prevent infection or a buildup in pressure. When necessary, suction can be applied to the drain to increase its effectiveness.
A drain that withdraws blood, pus, or other fluids from an operative site. It may be placed in an abscess, e.g., to speed recovery from a localized infection, or in a cyst or seroma, to remove collected fluids and cells. Drains may also be inserted into obstructed organs to relieve pressure resulting from fluid buildup within the organs. Surgical drains are composed of a variety of substances, such as latex or plastic.
A device is utilized, which is placed into a body cavity or a wound, with the purpose of expelling air or facilitating fluid drainage. Drains vary greatly, with some being simple, soft rubber tubes that extend from a body cavity into a bandage, while others are wide-bore tubes that link to a collection pouch or bottle. Suction drains are slender tubes peppered with numerous small openings. These are designed to gather fluid or air and subsequently draw it into a vacuum container.