What is exudrain? Understanding This Post-Surgical Drain

September 21, 2025 •

4 min read

A medical device frequently used post-surgery, the Exudrain system is a type of closed suction drain designed to remove excess fluid from a wound site. Understanding what is exudrain and how to manage it properly is key to a smooth recovery and minimizing complications.

Quick Summary

The Exudrain is a medical device and type of closed suction drain used after surgery to facilitate healing by removing blood, serous fluid, and other secretions from the surgical site using gentle negative pressure. It is a sterile system that reduces the risk of fluid buildup, hematomas, and infection, often allowing for earlier patient discharge.

Key Points

Closed System: Exudrain is a sterile, closed suction system that prevents external contamination and reduces the risk of infection.
Low-Pressure Vacuum: It uses a gentle, low-pressure vacuum created by a compressible bulb to draw fluid away from the wound.
Facilitates Healing: The system helps prevent the accumulation of fluid (seromas) and blood (hematomas), which promotes faster and more effective healing.
Enables Early Discharge: Its easy-to-use design allows patients to safely manage their wound drainage at home, enabling earlier release from the hospital.
Patient Management: Regular emptying of the bulb and recording of drainage volume are critical tasks for patients during their recovery.
Minimizes Complications: The system features non-return valves and is designed to minimize tissue trauma, reducing the risk of complications.

What is a Wound Drain and How Does Exudrain Work?

In the medical context, a wound drain is a small, hollow tube placed in a wound during surgery to draw out fluids, such as blood, pus, or lymph. This process, known as drainage, is crucial for promoting healing, reducing the risk of infection, and preventing fluid accumulations like seromas (clear fluid buildup) or hematomas (blood clots).

Exudrain, a brand name for a specific type of surgical drain, is a closed system that utilizes a low-pressure vacuum. The system consists of three main parts: a soft, perforated catheter inserted into the wound, tubing that connects the catheter to a collection device, and a collapsible suction bulb or bellows. The vacuum is created by manually compressing the bulb, which then slowly expands to create gentle, continuous suction. Non-return valves prevent the fluid from flowing back into the wound, ensuring a hygienic and safe process.

This gentle suction approach is advantageous because it minimizes trauma to the healing tissue, leading to less blood loss and less tissue aspiration compared to higher-pressure drains. The closed, sterile nature of the system also significantly reduces the risk of post-operative infection, which is a major benefit for both patients and medical staff.

Indications for Using an Exudrain

Exudrain systems are used in a variety of surgical procedures where fluid accumulation is a concern. The most common applications include:

Breast Surgery: This is one of the most common uses for Exudrain, especially after mastectomies with axillary clearance. It helps manage the significant fluid drainage that can occur in the armpit area.
General Surgery: Procedures that involve extensive dissection or removal of large tumors can leave behind "dead space" where fluid can gather. Exudrain helps collapse this space and remove the fluid.
Orthopedic Surgery: In joint replacement or other orthopedic procedures, drains can help remove blood and fluid, preventing hematoma formation.
Other Surgeries: From plastic surgery to hernia repair, Exudrain is used whenever a surgeon anticipates a moderate amount of post-operative fluid buildup.

Managing Your Exudrain at Home

One of the key benefits of the Exudrain is its simplicity, which allows for safe and hygienic management at home, facilitating earlier hospital discharge. Proper home care is essential to prevent complications and ensure effective drainage.

Daily Care Steps

Emptying the bulb: Empty the collection bulb before it becomes completely full, typically 2-3 times per day or every 8-12 hours. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before handling the drain.
Recording drainage: Use the measurement markers on the bulb or a separate graduated container to record the volume of fluid. Note the color and consistency as well. Your healthcare team will use this data to determine when the drain can be removed.
Reactivating the suction: After emptying, squeeze the bulb flat to re-create the vacuum and replace the plug firmly. It is crucial to maintain this vacuum pressure for the drain to function correctly.
Milking the tubing: Your doctor may instruct you to "milk" or "strip" the tubing to clear any clogs caused by thicker fluid or debris. This involves pinching the tubing close to the insertion site and sliding your fingers down toward the bulb.
Site care: Keep the area where the tube enters the skin clean and dry. Change any dressings as instructed by your nurse, watching for signs of infection.

Exudrain vs. Other Surgical Drains: A Comparison


Feature	Exudrain (Closed, Low-Vacuum)	Penrose Drain (Open, Passive)	Jackson-Pratt (Closed, Suction)
Mechanism	Active, low-pressure suction via a compressible bulb.	Passive, gravity-dependent drainage onto an external dressing.	Active, low-pressure suction via a compressible grenade-shaped bulb.
System	Completely closed, sterile system.	Open to the environment, higher risk of infection.	Closed, sterile system.
Application	Common for breast, general, and orthopedic surgery.	Used in sensitive areas or for thick, infected fluid.	Versatile and very common across many surgical fields.
Infection Risk	Minimal, due to the closed, unidirectional flow system.	Higher, due to the open-ended design.	Minimal, similar to Exudrain.

What to Look Out for and When to Call Your Doctor

While Exudrains are generally safe and effective, patients should be aware of potential complications. Knowing the warning signs is crucial for a healthy recovery. You should contact your healthcare provider if you notice any of the following:

A fever of 100.5°F (38.0°C) or higher.
Increased swelling, pain, or redness at the drain insertion site.
Fluid leaking from the skin around the tube.
The fluid color changes back to bright red after being clear or pink.
The drainage volume increases for more than two consecutive days.
The drain stops working suddenly when it was previously active.
The bulb does not stay collapsed after being squeezed, indicating a loss of suction.
The drain accidentally falls out.

Conclusion

The Exudrain system is a valuable tool in modern post-operative care, offering a safe, hygienic, and manageable way to handle wound drainage. Its low-vacuum, closed-system design minimizes complication risks and empowers patients to recover comfortably at home. By understanding the basics of what is exudrain and how to care for it, patients can actively contribute to a faster, safer healing process. For further reading and details on surgical drains, you can consult resources from reputable medical institutions, such as this guide on surgical drains from the Cleveland Clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

To empty an Exudrain, you should first wash your hands, then close the clamp on the tubing. Next, remove the plug on the bulb, squeeze the fluid into a measuring container, and finally, re-squeeze the bulb flat while replacing the plug to restore the vacuum. Record the fluid volume before disposal.

An Exudrain is removed by a healthcare professional when the drainage volume decreases to a low level, usually between 20 and 50 ml per day. The exact threshold depends on the type of surgery and your specific medical condition.

While generally safe, potential risks include infection at the insertion site, drain obstruction or clogging by thick fluid, accidental dislodgement of the tube, and potential pain or discomfort. Your healthcare team will provide guidance on minimizing these risks.

Exudrain removal is typically a quick and minimally uncomfortable procedure. The process involves removing the stitch that holds the tube in place and then gently sliding the tube out. Most patients describe it as a sensation of pulling rather than significant pain.

If your drain stops functioning, first check for any kinks or blockages in the tubing. If the issue persists or the bulb will not stay collapsed after being squeezed, contact your healthcare provider immediately, as it could indicate a clog or another problem.

Keep the area around the drain insertion site clean and dry. Follow your doctor's specific instructions for dressing changes, which may be needed daily or whenever the dressing becomes soiled. Look for any signs of redness, swelling, or bad odor, and report them immediately.

Your healthcare provider will provide specific instructions regarding showering. In many cases, it is possible to shower, but soaking the wound or dressing should be avoided. Sometimes, special covers or plastic sheeting can be used to protect the site.

The Exudrain bulb often comes with a hanger that allows it to be discreetly attached to clothing, such as the waistline, so you can move around easily. It should always be kept below the level of the wound to ensure proper drainage.