Jackson-Pratt Drain Overview

A Jackson-Pratt drain (or JP drain) is made of a thin rubber tube inserted into a soft, round squeeze bulb with a removable stopper. It is used to remove fluid that can collect inside your body after surgery, infection, or injury.

Prior to Procedure

Leading up to the procedure:

• If you have been injured, your doctor may order imaging tests to see the fluid that has collected. These tests may include:

• CT scan —a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures inside the body
• MRI scan —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the body
• Talk to your doctor about your medicines. You may be asked to stop taking some medicines up to one week before the procedure, like:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs (eg, aspirin )
• Blood thinners, such as clopidogrel (Plavix) or warfarin (Coumadin)
• Do not eat or drink anything for eight hours before surgery.
• Arrange for a ride home from the hospital.

Anesthesia

General anesthesia will be used. It will block any pain and keep you asleep through the surgery.

Description of the Procedure

Once you are under anesthesia, your doctor will make an incision in your skin. The end of the drain tubing will be placed into the area where fluid has collected. The other end of the tubing will be connected to the squeeze bulb outside of your body. The doctor will remove the stopper from the bulb, squeeze it to create suction inside the drain system, and replace the stopper. This suction will pull the unwanted fluid out of your body. The doctor will then close the skin over the drain.

If you are having surgery, this JP drain will be inserted at the end of the operation.

Immediately After Procedure

If you are staying in the hospital, the nurses will care for and empty your drain.

How Long Will It Take?

15-20 minutes to place the JP drain

How Much Will It Hurt?

You may have mild to moderate pain where the JP drain is placed. Ask your doctor about medicine to help with the pain.

Average Hospital Stay

This procedure is done in a hospital setting. The length of stay depends on the type of surgery you are having. You may be able to go home the same day if the surgery is minor.

Post-procedure Care

When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:

• Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions .
• Learn how to empty and care for the drain at home.
• Ask your doctor if you can walk around with the JP drain.
• Avoid bumping the drain.
• Sleep on the side opposite of the drain. This will help you to avoid blocking the tubing or pulling it out of the suction bulb.
• Ask your doctor what problems to watch for and when you should return for a follow-up appointment.

Removal of a drain depends on how fast you heal from the surgery or injury. Your doctor may remove the drain when there is less than 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 milliliters) of fluid per day being drained. If you have more than one drain, they may not be removed at the same time.

RESOURCES:

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/index.htm

National Library of Medicine
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html/

Healthy U
http://www.healthyalberta.com/

References:

Care of the JP drain. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center website. Available at: http://patienteducation.upmc.com/Pdf/JPDrain.pdf . Accessed March 6, 2008.

Caring for your Jackson Pratt drainage system. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center website. Available at: http://www.mskcc.org/patienteducation/shared/graphics/patienteducation/PatientEducation_Publications/Self-Care/CaringForYourJacksonPrattDrainageSystem.pdf . Updated 2004. Accessed September 9, 2009.

Hughes S, Ozgur B, German M, Taylor W. Prolonged Jackson-Pratt drainage in the management of lumbar cerebrospinal fluid leaks. Surg Neurol. 2006;65:410-414.