Types of Wound Drains

Wound drains are typically used after a surgical procedure or in accordance with a severe or chronic wound. When tissue is damaged, the natural immune response of the body drives blood, fluid and immune cells to the site to attempt to repair the tissue. In a large wound, this can lead to bacterial build-up and eventually a possible infection. Drainage systems are helpful in preventing infections from occurring.

Penrose Drains

• The Penrose drain, named for American doctor Charles Bingham Penrose, is a simple means of wound drainage. A length of soft rubber or silicon tubing is placed in the wound area to facilitate drainage. After surgery, blood may pool, leading to the proliferation of bacteria. A simple drainage tube like the Penrose drain can aid in preventing such infections. Patients with hydrocephalus have also found this sort of drain to be useful in removing excess cerebrospinal fluid.

Negative Pressure

• Negative pressure wound therapy is commonly used in burn patients as well as chronic or severe wounds. The wound is covered with gauze or foam dressing that is then covered with a drape layer. A vacuum system is then applied to the wound to remove dead tissue and excess fluid. The system also promotes blood flow to the wounded area to assist in new cell growth, closing of the wound, and formation of granulation tissue to promote healing. Negative pressure systems also discourage bacterial growth, which in turn discourages infection.

Jackson-Pratt Drains

• The Jackson-Pratt drain, or bulb drain, applies continuous suction pressure to a wound through the use of a flexible bulb that not only provides suction to the wound, but stores the removed fluids. Applying pressure to the bulb creates the suction necessary to clear the wound. Once the bulb is full, it can be removed and cleaned, then replaced to be used again.