Fletcher Allen, a Vermont university hospital and medical center, serves all of
Vermont and the northern New York region. Located in Burlington, Fletcher Allen is a regional, academic healthcare center and teaching hospital in alliance with the University of Vermont.
Drain Care
1. Flushing: You may be taught how to instill sterile saline into the tube once every one to two days. If at the time of discharge you are unable to perform this, home health care should be arranged by the office that requested this procedure. Flushing prevents bits of debris from closing off the holes in the tube and keeps it working.
2. Keeping the tubes secure: To avoid the tube from getting pulled out, it needs to be secured to the skin at all times. NEVER leave a tube dangling, as it is at risk of being caught and pulled out. If this occurs, place a Band-Aid or sterile dressing over the site and call the Interventional Radiology Office.
3. Wound care: Always put gauze around the tube next to the skin (under plastic disk.) Then tape the disc securely to the skin. Change dressing three times a week and whenever necessary. Clean around the tube with soap and water. (Use a mild non-perfumed soap). Apply bacitracin ointment to the skin around the tube insertion site if it looks red and irritated. If drainage bag is used, secure it so it does not pull on the tube, especially while walking. It is preferable to secure the bag on the thigh not the calf. Empty the bag when it is ½ full. If the tube drains a lot, you can request a bigger bag to use at night. Both of the above bags and drainage tubing should be rinsed with warm water at least twice a week.
4. Shower: Tape Saran Wrap or Press’n Seal over the dressing. If the dressing becomes wet, replace it with a dry one.
CONTACT THE INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY OFFICE OR HOME HEALTH NURSES IF:
- Tube drainage decreases severely or stops and does not clear with irrigating tube.
- You have sustained a fever (temperature of greater than 100.4 F or 38 C)
- There is a lot of leakage around the tube at the skin.
- You have increased pain.
or - If the tube becomes dislodged, DO NOT try to push it back in or replace it.
What is the follow up care?
Patients should expect to follow up with either the Surgical or the Interventional Radiology Team.
Biliary tubes must be changed every 12 weeks if kept in place for long period of time. Upon discharge from our department you will receive an appointment to have them changed. If you do not have the tubes any longer or you cannot keep your appointment please call the number in the card.
Please contact the Interventional Radiology Department at (802) 847 3663 to schedule a tube check appointment.
If you have any questions or need to reschedule an appointment please feel free to contact the Interventional Radiology Office at 802- 847-8359. Our business hours are Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Someone is available to take your call after hours for emergencies. This information is provided by the Fletcher Allen Health Care, Department of Radiology, Division of Interventional Radiology and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. For additional health information, please contact your health care provider.
