An Overview on Surgical Drains

Abstract

Background: Surgical drains are medical devices inserted into wounds, operative sites, or body cavities to facilitate the removal of fluid, blood, pus, or air. Their primary objective is to prevent fluid accumulation that may predispose to infection, impaired wound healing, or formation of hematomas and seromas. Drains may be classified into active drains (e.g., Jackson-Pratt, Hemovac) that rely on suction, and passive drains (e.g., Penrose drain) that depend on gravity or capillary action. Despite their wide use, the decision to insert a drain remains individualized, as indiscriminate use may increase infection risk or cause tissue irritation.