Recovery

How to Empty Your Drain After Surgery

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Step-by-Step

  1. Hands scrubbing with soap under faucet with running water.

    Wash your hands.

  2. Bulb filled with fluid and held upright, with cap closed and tube connecting bulb to surgical site.

    Hold bulb upright.

  3. Close-up of bulb opening, with bulb cap being opened.

    Open bulb cap.

  4. Fluid being poured from bulb into measuring cup.

    Squeeze fluid into measuring cup.

  5. Hand wrapped around bulb, squeezing it.

    Squeeze air out of bulb.

  6. Close-up of bulb opening, showing cap being closed.

    Close bulb cap.

  7. Hand writing on log next to measuring cup containing fluid.

    Record fluid in measuring cup.

  8. Pouring fluid from measuring cup into toilet.

    Pour fluid into toilet.

  9. Hands scrubbing with soap under faucet with running water.

    Wash your hands.

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Author: Ignite Staff

Online Medical Reviewer: Donna Freeborn PhD CNM FNP

Online Medical Reviewer: Jonas DeMuro MD

Online Medical Reviewer: Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN

Date Last Reviewed: 02/01/2025

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