1- Evacuate establish collections of pus, blood or other fluids (e.g. lymph)
2- Drain potential collections
They are often made from inert silastic material and induce minimal tissue reaction
.Red rubber drains induce an intense tissue reaction allowing a tract to form
# Arguments for their use include:
* Drainage of fluid removes potential sources of infection
* Drains guard against further fluid collections
* May allow the early detection of anastomotic leaks or haemorrhage
* Leave a tract for potential collections to drain following removal
# Arguments against their use include:
* Presence of a drain increases the risk of infection
* Damage may be caused by mechanical pressure or suction
* Drains may induce an anastomotic leak
* Most drains abdominal drains infective within 24 hours
Types :- * Drains can be:
- Open or closed
- Active or passive
* Include corrugated rubber or plastic sheets
* Drain fluid collects in gauze pad or stoma bag
* They increase the risk of infection
Closed drains
* Consist of tubes draining into a bag or bottle
* They include chest and abdominal drains
* The risk of infection is reduced
Active drains
* Active drains are maintained under suction
* They can be under low or high pressure
Passive drains
* Passive drains have no suction
* Function by the differential pressure between body cavities and the exterior