Whipple and Drainage

I am hoping someone can shed some light on my situation.  I had the Whipple Procedure eight weeks ago.  I still have one drain in and have been getting considerable amount of drainage.  Typically I am at about 16 to 20 ounces a day.  My surgeon does not seem to be overly concerned but I am starting to worry.  Why am I getting so much drainage?  When I first was released from the hospital I would get about an ounce a day, then after the first infection about 5 ounces and for the last three to four weeks I am up to the 16-20 ounces.  PLEASE, anyone who can give me some direction or if this is normal please let me know.  I am starting to lose it constantly thinking about it....

My husband had his Whipple seven weeks ago.  He came home without any drains about 12 days after surgery.  He never had a drainage problem, but everyone is different.  It doesn't seem right to have an increase in fluid at this point.  What does the doctor say?

 

On 6/23/2009 nancyj_pa wrote:

My husband had his Whipple seven weeks ago.  He came home without any drains about 12 days after surgery.  He never had a drainage problem, but everyone is different.  It doesn't seem right to have an increase in fluid at this point.  What does the doctor say?

Hello,

 When my drainage first started to increase was after I had finished an antibiotic for an infection I had gotten.  I was getting about an ounce a day then five and now right around 20 ounces.  The doctor doesn't seem to concerned and thought that it may be from the pancreas not having attached completely.  It is frustrating and I just wish it would stop.  

 

Update!!!!!!!!!This is Naper, I wrote the original notice.  Today I finally found out what the problem was.  The suction drain they had in after surgery had been next to the area they attached the pancreas to the lower bowel.  This was causing the drain to suck the pancreas fluids out and not letting the healing process begin.  They took out the suction drain and put in a new drain.  Hopefully this will allow the pancreas to attach and heal quickly.  

 

I hope this helps someone I know how frustrating it can be when you can't get answers.

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to update you on my drainage situation.  Had a scan done with dye last week.  It turns out the "suction" drain I had in was too close to the area they attached the pancreas to the lower bowel.  So the suction was not allowing the area to heal.  Literally it was sucking the pancreas fluid through the attach area.  They took out the suction drain and put in a gravity drain.  My drainage is now going down.  Like from 20 ounces to 3 ounces in just 5 days.  It was a bit on the painfull side, but I am closer to getting healed -

 Take care -Naper