Redivac Drain Care

The Redivac Drain is a thin plastic (PVC) tube that is placed in the space (cavity) created when tissue is removed during an operation. The tube is stitched into the space and attached to a plastic measuring bottle outside the body.

You may be discharged from the hospital with a Redivac Drain for drainage of fluids from your operation wound.

The following video will show you how to care for your Redivac Drain at home, as well as how to change to a new Redivac bottle.

For a chinese version of the video, click here.

When should the Redivac Drain bottle be changed?

The bottle needs to be changed:

• If the bottle is more than half full
• If the green vacuum indicator is completely expanded, indicating there is no suction left OR
• If the tubing has become disconnected.

When should you seek medical attention?

You should seek medical attention if one of the following occurs:

• The amount of drainage significantly increases (more than 100ml from the previous day)
• The drainage is not flowing out
• The drainage turns cloudy, bright red, foul smelling or pus-like
• You have a raised temperature of more than 38°C
• Your skin around the drain tube area becomes red, swollen or painful
• The stitches around the drain tube loosen, or if the drain tube slips out
  - If the drain tube slips out, do place a clean gauze over the drain site and place a plaster over it to hold the gauze in place.

During office hours (Mon to Fri, 8.30am to 5.30pm), please seek medical attention at (as applicable):

• KK Breast Centre (Children’s Tower, Level 1)
• KK Gynaecological Cancer Centre (Women’s Tower, Level 1)
• Children’s Surgery Centre (Women’s Tower, Basement 1)

After office hours, please contact (as applicable):

• The ward you were discharged from to seek advice or to consult the respective clinics on the next working day
• The Urgent O&G Centre/ Children’s Emergency to seek medical consultation if excessive bleeding is noted

Useful telephone numbers