Jackson-Pratt (JP) Drain
(Jackson-Pratt Drain, Active Drains)
A drain is used to remove fluid from the space of a surgical wound. After surgery, a drain removes fluid and blood that weeps into the surgical space. Removing this fluid assists with healing and decreases the risk of infection.
What does a Jackson-Pratt Drain look like?
Shown is a JP drain after thyroid surgery. One end of the drain tubing is positioned in the space dissected during surgery. This tubing passes through the skin away from the surgical incision and is connected to a bulb that generates a mild suction. The bulb is clipped onto clothing so that its weight does not pull on the skin.
This is a drain and trochar on the back table of the operating room before being placed. The metal trochar is removed after placement of the drain, leaving only the soft plastic.
This is the drain immediately after placement in the operating room.
How to empty and re-charge the drain:
The stopper on the drain is removed.
The drainage is poured into a measuring cup. The amount of drainage and the time are noted in the drain diary.
To charge the drain again, compress the bulb and then replace the stopper.
The drain is charged and sealed.