SUNDAY — drainage reduction

I’ve mentioned the drainage coming from Nancy’s chest.  From just after her operation until today the rate of discharge has steadily decreased and is now just half of what it was.  It still seems a lot to me but the surgeon thinks that it will soon be time to remove the tubes.

The pleural space is the space between the inner lining and the outer lining of the lung.  A drawing can be found here:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/9968.htm

A tube, usually about as big around as a small finger is inserted in the pleural space. This tube is sutured into place and the skin around the tube is sutured. This tube can be hooked to suction to facilitate drainage.  The function of this set up is to help get the serum or fluid out of the body without allowing fluid, air, or organisms to enter.

You can learn a bit more about this by visiting the following site.

http://web.mac.com/kieran.mcmanus/Chest_drains/Chest_drainage_systems.html

There is a simple drawing showing three bottles and the basic set up.  Scroll down to see the 3-chamber plastic unit such as is being used for Nancy.  This is not shown in use here but continue scrolling down and there is a photo of a plastic unit (a Portex bag) showing the color of the initial fluid being drained from Nancy.  Over time this color has become more pink and transparent.

The pleural fluid allows the pleurae or membranes to slide effortlessly against each other during the breathing process.  The fluid is produced and reabsorbed continuously.  The decrease in volume and the change in color indicate the improvement taking place within Nancy’s body, especially the chest cavity.

Soon the sutures holding the tubes in place can be removed, the tubes pulled, and the holes closed – then her lymphatic system will have to take over the absorption of any excess fluid.