Are drains painful, and what should patients do if one falls out?

Indexed: 2026-05-18

[00:00:00]I'm Dr. David Sahar and in this next part of our surgical drain series, I want to talk about pain, drain removal, and what to do if a drain comes out.

[00:00:09]Most patients do not feel the drain inside the wound. However, it is common to feel mild soreness or discomfort where the drain exits the skin.

[00:00:19]Once the drain is removed, that discomfort usually improves quickly. If a drain partially or completely comes out, do not try to put it back in yourself. Call your surgeon's office right away so they can guide you safely.

[00:00:33]It is also important to track your drain [music] output every day. Your surgeon is looking for a steady decrease over time before deciding when it is safe to remove [music] the drain. In the next video, I'll explain how to care for your drains at home and what to look out for, so stay tuned.