A question about drains

[McGilli]

Thank you for reading.

This is more of a hypothetical question.

I am just wondering.

I know when you have the drains inserted, that the fluid that drains out becomes less and less all the time.

I am just wondering - hypothetically - if you left the drains in for say one year - would there still be fluid draining, even just a bit, every day?

Like, is there natural fluid buildup that occurs anyways, drain or no drain?

Also -

Are the drains only used to remove the buildup of fluid that otherwise would be too much for the body to absorb in a timely manner - but then are removed once the body could keep up with the absorption needed?

[DrPensler]

I do not typically use drains.The subject is a bit more complex and cannot  be distilled quickly here. Drains in and of themselves cause fluid production , remember the drains are a foreign bodies.

[Litlriki]

I used to use drains, which I removed the next day.  I haven't used drains for at least 15 years.  If you leave a drain in, it will continue to drain a small amount of fluid.

Rick Silverman

[McGilli]

Thank you both!

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

Drains are a two way potential problem.  The mere presence of a drain may incite fluid production (by way of irritation of surrounding tissues).  And, since the drain protrudes through the skin, germs can enter the body at the entrance site.  That is why I very rarely use a drain (perhaps one in 100 cases) -- but when I do, I try to remove it as quickly as possible -- usually within a day or two.

Dr Jacobs