Patient Instructions: Pigtail Drainage Catheter Care
A pigtail catheter (or drain) is a small tube placed into your body, often to drain fluid, pus (from an abscess), or blood. The end of the tube curls up like a pigtail inside the body to keep it securely in place, and the external end connects to a drainage bag.
Following these instructions carefully is essential to prevent infection and ensure the catheter works correctly.
1. Site Care
ALWAYS wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after touching the catheter or drainage site.
Daily Dressing Change
Your doctor or nurse will tell you exactly how often to change the dressing, but it is typically every 3-5 days or immediately if it becomes wet, loose, or soiled.
Materials you will need:
- Sterile gloves
- Antiseptic solution (e.g., Chlorhexidine or Isopropyl Alcohol) – use the specific product recommended by your clinician.
- Sterile gauze pads
- Tape or transparent medical dressing(Tegaderm)
Dressing Change Steps:
- Preparation: Place all supplies on a clean surface. Wash your hands. Put on sterile gloves.
- Removal: Gently peel off the old dressing and throw it away immediately.
- Inspection: Look closely at the skin around the drain site for redness, swelling, or leaking.
- Cleaning: Use the prescribed antiseptic solution to clean the skin around the insertion site. Clean in a circle, moving outwards from the site. Do not scrub vigorously. Allow the area to air dry completely.
- Re-dressing: Apply a new sterile dressing according to the instructions provided by your nurse. Ensure the catheter is secured to your body with tape or a securing device so that it does not pull or move.
2. Drainage Bag Management
The drainage bag collects the fluid from your body. It needs to be emptied regularly to prevent reflux and infection.
| Action | Instruction |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Empty the bag when it is half to two-thirds full, or at least two times a day |
| Measuring (Optional) | If your doctor asked you to measure the drainage, empty the fluid into a measuring cup before pouring it down the toilet. Record the amount and the time. |
| Emptying Technique | Wash your hands. Open the spout at the bottom of the bag. Drain the fluid into the toilet. Close the spout tightly and securely. Wash your hands again. |
| Appearance | Note the color and consistency of the fluid (e.g., clear yellow, dark red, cloudy green). Call your doctor if the color or amount changes suddenly. |
3. Activity and Lifestyle
To protect the pigtail catheter and insertion site:
- Avoid Submerging: Do not swim, take baths, or use hot tubs. You may take a quick shower, but you MUST protect the dressing and catheter from getting wet (e.g., use plastic wrap or a waterproof covering).
- Limit Pulling/Tugging: Secure the catheter to your body with a small piece of tape or a specialized device to prevent accidental tugging. NEVER pull on the catheter.
- Restrict Heavy Lifting: Avoid lifting objects over 10 pounds or engaging in strenuous exercise that could pull on the catheter or cause the coil to shift inside your body.
4. Troubleshooting and When to Call the Doctor Immediately
Contact your healthcare provider, interventional radiologist, or neurosurgical team right away if you notice any of the following signs:
| Red Flag Symptom | Potential Issue |
|---|---|
| Fever or Chills | Temperature above 100.4∘F (38∘C) or uncontrolled shaking is a sign of infection. |
| Severe Pain | Pain around the catheter site that is suddenly worse, severe, or not managed by prescribed pain medication. |
| Catheter Displacement | The catheter seems longer or shorter than before, or if the “pigtail” coil loop is visible outside the body. Do not attempt to push it back in. |
| Catheter Kinked/Blocked | Drainage stops suddenly, or you see a large clot in the tubing. |
| Leaking at the Site | Drainage is leaking around the insertion site and soaking the dressing repeatedly. |
| Skin Changes | Increased redness, warmth, or swelling around the insertion site. |
| Sudden Change in Fluid | The drainage becomes thick, cloudy, foul-smelling, or contains a large amount of new, bright red blood. |