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Major Gyn Surgery (continued)

Aftercare Following Surgery

For patients undergoing major surgery, a two to seven day stay in the hospital can be expected. During this time, the patient becomes more able to do the necessary care requirements for themselves until such time as the doctors and nurses feel it is safe for the patient to go home. At first, the patient relies on the nurse for most of their needs, such as pain medication, fluid, assistance with breathing exercises and ambulation, and most importantly, monitoring their condition. Understanding why certain care requirements are so important will make the patient a vital part of the health care team, able to assist in their own recovery.

Tubes & Drains

Monitoring a patient's fluid intake and output are important to a prompt recovery. In the immediate period after surgery, this is usually done with Intravenous (IV) fluids dripped into the vein. A tube is often put in the bladder while the patient is asleep, to monitor their urine flow. This tube is called a Foley catheter and drains into a bag at the bedside. It is usually removed after 1 or 2 days, unless the patient has had bladder surgery or repair work done. Occasionally a nasogastric (NG) tube is placed during the surgery into a patients' nose and down to their stomach. This may be done to try and keep the stomach or intestines from bloating with gas or fluids and is more common when people have had extensive abdominal or bowel surgery. It is often connected to a suction machine and is removed after 1 to 4-5 days, depending on the type of surgery. Other types of drains may be placed in or around lymph nodes or in areas where the surgeon expects extra fluid may collect. There are many different types but one of the more common ones is a drainage tube attached to a bulb suction device, called a JP (Jackson-Pratt) drain. When the bulb is ½ to 2/3 full, it is emptied and squeezed to suction again. These types of drains usually stay in until they drain less than 30cc or 1 oz. in 24 hours. Removal of these drains is normally done at the bedside, does not require special medication and patients usually experience very little discomfort.

Occasionally, patients will need to go home from the hospital with their drains in place. Written instructions will be given them and they will be shown how to care for the drains by their nursing staff. The drains are then removed when ready, usually in the clinic, or sometimes by a local doctor or home health nurse.

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