From the Guidelines
Changes in Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain output are a crucial indicator of patient recovery and potential complications.
Implications of Changes in JP Drain Output
- A decrease in drain output, such as <30 ml of daily output, is often an indication that the drain can be removed, typically within 7-14 days of use 1.
- An increase in drain output or persistent high output may indicate ongoing infection, bleeding, or other complications, requiring further evaluation and treatment, such as antibiotics 2.
- The goal is to remove the drain as soon as possible to minimize the risk of infection, as drains can serve as microbial conduits for pathogens to migrate from the skin to the implant 1.
- Monitoring drain output is essential to determine the appropriate timing for drain removal and to prevent potential complications, such as seroma or hematoma formation 1.
- In addition to monitoring drain output, other infection preventive measures, such as avoiding extended postoperative antimicrobial use, allowing adequate incisional healing, and keeping the surgical bulb at gravity, can help reduce the risk of infection 1.
From the Research
Implications of Changes in Jackson-Pratt (JP) Drain Output
- Changes in JP drain output can be indicative of various postoperative complications, such as bowel obstruction or biliary peritonitis, as reported in a case study 3.
- An increase or decrease in JP drain output may require immediate medical attention to prevent further complications, such as infection or abscess formation.
- The management of JP drains is crucial in preventing complications, including intestinal obstruction, as highlighted in a study on the design of an automatic JP drain auxiliary system 4.
- The use of JP drains in pediatric craniofacial reconstructive surgery was not associated with an increased risk of serious perioperative complications, although the benefits of this practice remain unclear 5.
- Complications associated with JP drains can also include breakage, leaving the distal fenestrated part at the time of attempted removal, which may require endoscopic retrieval 6.
- Alternative drainage systems, such as suction-type cigarette drains, have been developed to compensate for the drawbacks of traditional JP drains and Penrose drains, and have shown promising results in leak-prone hepatopancreatobiliary surgeries 7.