The use of ultrasound to locate a tethered surgical drain: a novel way to achieve fast removal.

ABSTRACT:

Background

It is rare that drains cannot be removed after surgery, however, this situation cannot be completely avoided, and is also hard to deal with. The main reason for a tethered drain is inadvertent suture fixation. At present, no effective way was published or widely accepted to locate the tethered drain.

Methods

Three cases of orthopedic trauma patients experienced unsuccessful removal of the drain after surgery. The ultrasound was used to locate the sutured site of the drain. Based on the sliding sign and vanishing point which can be detected by the ultrasound, the sutured site of the drain can be clearly identified. Finally, the suture was loosened through a small incision, and the drain was completely removed.

Results

The surgical procedure was very successf

SUBMITTER: Li H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7603670 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature