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Surgery

Surgical drain

A tube placed during surgery to remove fluid or blood from the operative site.

Drains (Jackson-Pratt, Penrose, chest tubes) are placed at the end of surgery to evacuate post-op fluid collections. They're typically removed when output drops below a threshold over 24 hours.

What this means for you: don't fly home with a drain still in place. Confirm drain removal is part of the discharge plan.

General information, not medical advice

What a term means for you depends on your own reports. Ask your treating doctor, or send your reports for a free review.

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