How to remove IR drains?

[SweetRain]

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I've removed chest tubes, central lines, and JP drains but never removed an IR drain. It looks like there are specific steps to it but can't remember how it's done. I remember that a part of it was cut. Is it to release vacuum or something?

 

[ACSurgeon]

I've removed chest tubes, central lines, and JP drains but never removed an IR drain. It looks like there are specific steps to it but can't remember how it's done. I remember that a part of it was cut. Is it to release vacuum or something?

You cut the string so that the pig tail at the end of it unravels

 

[ACSurgeon]

Just pull really hard*

(*dont actually do this. Learned this the hard way.)

Yup- did this my first month as an intern. A transvaginal drain of all things!

Hani

 

[ACSurgeon]

Yowch.

I also pulled a g-tube with an inflatable balloon with this method (thought it was a mushroom peg). That was as an M3 with the intern there supervising. He was like...no you just have to pull hard

If vets can pull Foley catheters out with the balloon inflated, anything can be pulled if you pull hard enough!

 

[Smurfette]

If vets can pull Foley catheters out with the balloon inflated, anything can be pulled if you pull hard enough!

We called it autoTURPing.