Securing intercostal drains.

An alternative method for securing surgical drains in the neck.

A method for securing closed suction drains in the neck is described where it serves to prevent leakage, slippage and accidental removal. This method involves passing a stay suture through the most proximal holes of the drain and suturing it to the skin and an overlying short length of the tube externally. Drains secured in this manner can be left in the wound for up to fourteen days with no as...

Closed suction drains, reinfusion drains or no drains in primary total knee replacement?

INTRODUCTION Controversy still surrounds the use of drains after total knee replacement (TKR). We compared closed suction drains, reinfusion drains and no drains by studying haemoglobin (Hb) levels, blood transfusion requirements and functional knee outcome scores in a single surgeon series. METHODS A total of 102 consecutive primary TKRs were performed by the senior author between September ...

Intraocular Tumor Antigen Drains

Innoxious removal of suction drains.

Suction drains are commonly used in orthopedic elective and trauma surgery; however, drain tube removal causes pain, discomfort, and anxiety. A method of drain tube removal is described in patients who underwent total hip replacement and in adolescents who underwent lower extremity surgery. Ten milliliters of lidocaine was injected through the skin wound around the drain tube. The efficiency of...

Cocaine from drains in Spain.

Researchers have documented the flow of so-called drugs of abuse, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy, in rivers and streams from Venice, Italy, to Florence, Ore. However, new research published in ES&T (DOI 10.1021/es800768h) shows that conventional drinking-water treatment successfully removes these drugs and others considered to be more benign, such as caffeine and nicotine. The re...