What is a Redivac drain?
The drain will be used post operatively and has a length of tube and a collection bottle. The length of tube is stitched near to the surgical site and draws any excess fluid out of the wound that will be collected into a vacuumed bottle.
A drain is used to drain any blood or fluid that could collect in the wound site post-operatively.
The surgeon attaches the connector internally and the tubing is sutured externally to the skin using removable sutures.
Drains can stay in for several days and sometimes patients are able to be discharged from hospital with their drains.
Drains on discharge
Drains may have to stay in place for different lengths of time, depending on how much fluid and blood is drained and certain amount of time.
When drainage is less than 50mls or less in a 24hr hour period then a healthcare professional may remove the drain.
Other times a drain may stay in for 7 days to aid the healing process.
Your surgeon will document post operatively or before your discharge when they would like the drain to be removed, which will then be forwarded to yourself on discharge.
How is the fluid measured in the bottle?
- Each day, mark the bottle (this should be the same time every day) to show the level of fluid/blood that has been drained.
- Place the bottle on a hard flat surface and draw a line with a permanent marker close to the measuring lines
- Each indented line is 10 ml
- Write the date and the time next to the pen mark
Record the amount of fluid drained in the table below
It is important that the fluid is measured at the same time each day. We suggest 8am each morning.
Problem Solving
If tubing becomes disconnected at any point on the Redivac drain, this may cause the drain to de-vac. This means that there will no longer be a vacuum from the wound site to the drain and the wound will no longer drain the excess fluid/blood.
If this does happen, ring one of the contact numbers for advice, or go to your local Accident and Emergency for assessment of the drain, to see if it can be re-vacuumed.
Self-care for wound and dressing
On discharge you will be supplied with extra dressings. If your dressing comes off at home, wash and clean your hands and put another dressing on.
You can have a shower but ensure that the dressing does not get wet. If it does, then change the dressing afterwards. Ensure that the tubing does not pull on your wound.
Do not have a bath whilst you have a drain.
Things to remember:
- Take the drain everywhere you go
- Try to avoid catching the tubing on anything
- Do not let the tubing become kinked
- Wear loose clothing, some people attach the bottle to a belt or a loop in their trousers
- When sleeping, place the drain below where you are sleeping and upright to allow for better drainage
- When filling up, the bottle may become quite heavy, this would not usually be changed as it could increase the risk of infection
If the drain does become full, contact a health professional for advice.
What happens when the drain is removed?
The drain will be removed by a district nurse (the discharging ward will send a referral to them), or you will be invited to a local clinic. The surgery team will make an appointment for you prior to discharge.
Firstly, the practitioner will release the vacuum, then they will remove the suture holding the drain in place and then the tube will carefully be removed.
Your wound dressing may be changed at this time. If you have not received an appointment on discharge, then contact the ward that discharged you, as they will facilitate booking your appointment.
Things to look out for after removal of drain
You could get a collection of fluid called seroma, this may develop where the drain has been removed, this is quite common. Your body will absorb most of this fluid over two to three weeks.
However, if this fluid causes any pain or discomfort, you may need to have a wound review. If you do notice this, then contact the ward you were discharged from or the clinic area where you attended your appointment for removal.
When do I need to seek help or advice from the hospital?
- Swelling around the wound site that is causing severe pain
- Your dressing starts to become heavily stained with exudate (this could be red or yellow)
- You have a temperature above 38°C
- The day following discharge, your drain is more that 100mls in 24hrs
- If the drain falls out
Attend A&E if drain is filling fast in a short period of time. More than 50mls within 3hrs. (You can see it actively dripping fast into the bottle).
Contact details:
Ward 12, Fairfield General Hospital: 0161 778 2503
Day Surgery Unit, Fairfield General Hospital: 0161 778 2544
Hot Clinic, Oldham: 0161 778 5901
Day Surgery Unit, Rochdale: 01706 517133
Alternatively, you can ring the hospital switchboard on 0161 624 0420 and ask to be transferred to any unit.
Date of Review: January 2026
Date of Next Review: January 2028
Ref No: PI_SU_2188 (Bury)