Surgical Drain
A device placed intraoperatively or postoperatively to remove blood, fluid, or exudate from a wound site and prevent haematoma formation.
Full Definition
In oral and maxillofacial surgery, surgical drains — typically corrugated rubber or Penrose-type drains — may be placed after major procedures such as neck dissections, space infections, or extensive cyst excisions to prevent fluid accumulation. Operative and nursing notes must document drain type, position, output volume, colour, and removal date. Editors should ensure these details are consistently recorded across all relevant chart sections. 'Drain' should not be used loosely to mean simple gauze haemostasis; the term implies a purposively placed device. Closed-suction drains (e.g., Jackson-Pratt) may also be referenced in head-and-neck contexts.
Usage
Usage note: Specify drain type and laterality in operative notes. Do not use 'drain' to describe gauze packing; the two serve different functions and have different documentation requirements.
In Context
- "A corrugated drain was placed in the submandibular region and secured with a single nylon suture." — Operative note
- "Nursing records must log drain output in millilitres at each observation interval until the drain is removed." — Post-operative care protocol