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Clogged drain
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Clogged drain

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Clogged drain

  • Post
    • February 20, 2017 at 6:02 pm
    skousal
    Participant

      Hello, 

      Does anyone have any advise on how to unclog the JP drain from a complete lymphnode dissection. I have stripped the drain hundreds of times with no luck, I can see the tissue clogging the drain. The fluid is running down my leg.. please any help. 

       

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • February 20, 2017 at 6:32 pm
        jennunicorn
        Participant

          Call your surgeon's office and talk to a nurse, you may need to go in and see them.

          • February 20, 2017 at 6:32 pm
          jennunicorn
          Participant

            Call your surgeon's office and talk to a nurse, you may need to go in and see them.

            • February 20, 2017 at 6:45 pm
            momof4boys
            Participant
              I can remember those clogs. All i can say is try to get above it and just keep trying to work it.
              • February 20, 2017 at 6:45 pm
              momof4boys
              Participant
                I can remember those clogs. All i can say is try to get above it and just keep trying to work it.
                • February 20, 2017 at 6:50 pm
                debwray
                Participant

                  Hi,

                  this link is pretty good https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/caring-your-jackson-pratt-drainage-system

                  When I had problems with mine I clamped it high near the insertion site and really stretched the tubing in order to break the "clotted thread trail". I also unscrewed the collection bit..Then max compressed it before reconnecting it when it was compressed then expanded it to createmax suction but mine was an accordian style folding collection device container so might not be possible with your JP bulb (but I suppose you could squash it so it wants to expand to get back to normal /original shape) .

                  If that doesn't work because you may have clots blocking the entrance to the drain tube within the wound then I think you probably need to call the docs office and get some professional help.

                  BTW I really sympathise with the problem- but if it is removed before drainage is minimal there is a higher chance of seroma- fluid collection under the skin. the other thing to visually check for is if the drain tubling has worked out a bit and the surface drainage is coming from the perforations. Just might give you more info for the doc. 

                  best wishes- Deb

                    • February 21, 2017 at 12:05 am
                    skousal
                    Participant

                      Thank you for your advise and video!

                    • February 20, 2017 at 6:50 pm
                    debwray
                    Participant

                      Hi,

                      this link is pretty good https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/caring-your-jackson-pratt-drainage-system

                      When I had problems with mine I clamped it high near the insertion site and really stretched the tubing in order to break the "clotted thread trail". I also unscrewed the collection bit..Then max compressed it before reconnecting it when it was compressed then expanded it to createmax suction but mine was an accordian style folding collection device container so might not be possible with your JP bulb (but I suppose you could squash it so it wants to expand to get back to normal /original shape) .

                      If that doesn't work because you may have clots blocking the entrance to the drain tube within the wound then I think you probably need to call the docs office and get some professional help.

                      BTW I really sympathise with the problem- but if it is removed before drainage is minimal there is a higher chance of seroma- fluid collection under the skin. the other thing to visually check for is if the drain tubling has worked out a bit and the surface drainage is coming from the perforations. Just might give you more info for the doc. 

                      best wishes- Deb

                      • February 20, 2017 at 7:23 pm
                      MichelleRHG
                      Participant
                        I called the surgeons office and a nurse walked my through , step by step, how to disassemble the jp drain,clean it and put it back together. I kept her on the phone until it was back together draining properly. Good luck!
                        • February 20, 2017 at 7:23 pm
                        MichelleRHG
                        Participant
                          I called the surgeons office and a nurse walked my through , step by step, how to disassemble the jp drain,clean it and put it back together. I kept her on the phone until it was back together draining properly. Good luck!
                          • February 21, 2017 at 12:06 am
                          skousal
                          Participant

                            Thank you everyone for your advise and thoughts!

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