Question:
What is a Jackson Pratt drain tube?

Is it the tube that drains fluid away from you stomach? If so, where does it come out? How long does it ususally stay in?    — [Anonymous] (posted on February 25, 2002)

February 25, 2002
A Jackson Pratt Drain is inserted into the skin to help drain fluids etc from the body.It has a bulb on the end that is squeezed and then capped and this causes a suction which drains the fluids. I had surgery in Dec 2001 and the drain was located on my right side at about waist level. It was removed at 10 days post -op. I had heard numerous people tell that the removal of this drain was painful, but personally I felt nothing at all when it was pulled out, the nurse pulled it out real quick . It was probably 3 feet long but no bigger in diameter than a small straw.I was glad to be rid of it.
   — janicediana

February 25, 2002
Jen my wife, Diane and Jill all had there drain tubes pulled around the same time.I was there. Someone brought roxicet, and I suggested they ALL take some. Remember how tipsy Jill was when we left? We escorted Jill to her ride, and guaranteed to Cheryl the nurse she would NOT be driving. The WORST experience for me was when my dog susie mistook the drain bottle for a ball and tried to run off with it. PAIN:( They are stitched to us:( They are highly inconvenient but nothing to worry about.
   — bob-haller

February 25, 2002
I had four Jackson-Pratt drains after my panniculectomy. Two were inserted above each thigh into the lower abdomen. They drain off excess fluid from the surgical site and help prevent post-op swelling. Three of my drains were removed in the office within the first two weeks after surgery, but one remained for six weeks. My surgeon's theory is that all that fluid is "better out than in" and feels that most patients would prefer to keep the drains until the drainage subsides rather than having to have the fluid drained with a needle at post-op office visits. The drains were totally painless, just an aggravation to pin to my clothing and try to disguise their presence after I went back to work. The removal was also completely painless...I felt absolutely nothing when they were removed. Good luck!
   — Diana T.

November 1, 2002
Jackson Pratt drain is a type of drain inserted into the surgical site with a bulb and the end that can be emptied of drainage. You squeeze it and it creates a vacuum and pulls the drainage out.Helps you keep track of drainage.
   — Amy D.