Incision/Drain question

[DarlaLOU]

I have a quick question for you... I am totally trying to get this whole surgery plan in my head, I know it won't help as things won't go at all as I have envisioned, but I still just want to try to be as prepared as humanly possible!!  So, in talking to a few people, and the Dr and my sis who is a nurse, this whole drain thing... tell me about it! Please!  I have this freaking out fear of some huge tube draining from my neck. I have looked all over online and only found one photo so I am going off that and to be honest it is pretty frightening looking to me. The Dr said he does use a drain and I didn't think to ask what kind, how big, all that stuff. Wish I had. Guess I still can as I'll see him again.... but right now it is sort of something I am obsessing over (worrying, fearful, all the above). Any descriptions, experiences you guys have had at all... your help is appriciated.  THANKS!

[kipland]

My surgeon didn't use a drain for mine, and so far so good.  It's amazing.  I thought I'd come home with all this gauze covering it and it would be draining, etc.  Nope!  They used the durabond glue, and I have yet to see one bit of seeping around it.  It doesn't look swollen, either!  Right after surgery, it looked like I cut myself and it had already been healing for weeks.  Strange.  But if your doc says he uses them, it's best that you get all the information you can.  Jen's explanation was great!!!

Lori

[Jenipeni]

Hi DarlaLOU,

The drain I had was clear tubing approximately half a centremetre wide (0.5cm).  The tube was maybe a metre or 1.5m long and went into a bottle.  The bottle is under pressure which creates a very very slight suction effect which helps draw away excess fluid from inside the incision.  There are different types of drain bottles some are more like a bulb - just depends on the surgeon's preference.    

Usually they stitch the drain tube in at the skin surface and wind excess thread around the drain tubing - makes it easier to find the stiches when it comes to removal.  This anchors the drain tube so even if it is accidentally pulled or tugged it's not going to come out.  

When in bed they hang the bottle off the side of the bed - if you go for a walk or to the toilet it comes with you.  Ask for a pillowcase if they don't offer one just to cover the bottle so your visitors don't cop an eye full.  

I remember that I felt very conscious of the drain tube when moving around and was very relieved after it was removed.  Not that it was painful - although you don't want to accidentally tug on the tubing.  It was just quite uncomfortable.  A bit painful coming out but as soon as it was out the pain went away - didn't require pain meds to remove it.  

As you can imagine there is no cavity in the neck where excess fluid could pool - so if they didn't put in a drain and take it away then the excess fluid would put strain on the surrounding tissues.  That would cause swelling.  The more swelling you have the more pain you'd get because pressure is put on the nerves.  The more swelling you have the higher the risk of breaking the incision and haemorrage.  The drain all but eliminates these risks.

The drain can be easily monitored for how much fluid is being lost at the surgical site and how quickly - which gives a good indication if blood loss in increasing which can tell them if they need to go back in and tie off an artery or vein before further complications occur.  

So as you can see the drain serves an important purpose.  It's not fun but not terrible either.  You'll be fine.

I hope this helps a bit.  
Cheers
~Jen

[dart frog]

I didnt have a drain because I was put on potassium iodide for 14 days leading up to surgery. It help shut down the blood supply to the thyroid and "dry up" the secretions of the thyroid. Might ask your surgeon about that.

Rhonda