A Hemovac drain is a closed suction drain used after surgery to remove blood, fluid or other drainage from a surgical area. It is placed under the skin during an operation and connected to a round collection device that creates gentle suction when compressed.
The goal of a Hemovac drain is to reduce fluid buildup near a wound or surgical site. Fluid collection can increase pressure, slow healing or raise the risk of complications. Some people go home with a Hemovac drain still in place and receive instructions on how to empty it, measure the drainage and keep the site clean.
What is a Hemovac drain?
A Hemovac drain is a surgical drainage system made of tubing and a compressed collection device. One end of the tube sits near the surgical area under the skin. The other end connects to a container outside the body.
When the container is compressed and closed correctly, it creates suction. This suction helps pull fluid out of the wound area and into the container. The fluid can then be measured and recorded.
A Hemovac drain is usually temporary. Your healthcare provider decides when it can be removed based on your surgery, healing and the amount of drainage.
Why is a Hemovac drain used?
A Hemovac drain may be used when a surgeon wants to prevent blood or fluid from collecting after surgery. It may be placed after orthopedic, breast, abdominal, neck, back or other procedures, depending on the surgical plan.
A Hemovac drain may help:
- Remove blood or fluid from a surgical area.
- Reduce swelling or pressure near the wound.
- Help the healthcare team monitor the amount of drainage.
- Lower the chance of fluid collecting under the skin.
- Support healing after certain operations.
The drain does not treat the underlying condition by itself. It is one part of postoperative care.
How does a Hemovac drain work?
A Hemovac drain works by using suction. The collection container is compressed after it is emptied. When the cap or stopper is closed while the container is compressed, suction is created inside the drainage system.
As fluid leaves the surgical area, it travels through the tubing and collects in the container. The container may gradually expand as it fills. If it expands completely, suction may decrease, so it may need to be emptied and recompressed as instructed.
Hemovac drain vs Penrose drain
A Hemovac drain is different from a Penrose drain. A Hemovac is a closed suction system, while a Penrose drain is an open passive drain that usually drains onto gauze or a dressing.
| Drain type | How it works | Where fluid goes |
|---|---|---|
| Hemovac drain | Closed suction drainage using a compressed collection device. | Into a drainage container outside the body. |
| Penrose drain | Open, passive drainage without suction. | Onto gauze or a dressing. |
| Jackson-Pratt drain | Closed suction drainage using a bulb. | Into a smaller bulb-shaped container. |
You can also read our guide to Penrose drains for a related explanation of open passive drainage.
What does Hemovac drainage look like?
Drainage may look different depending on the type of surgery and how long it has been since the procedure. It may be bloody at first and then become lighter, thinner or more watery as healing progresses.
Your healthcare team may ask you to observe and record:
- The amount of fluid collected.
- The color of the drainage.
- The time you emptied the drain.
- Whether drainage suddenly increases or stops.
- Any odor, cloudiness or pus-like appearance.
Do not judge healing based on color alone. Follow the instructions from your surgeon, nurse or discharge paperwork.
How to empty a Hemovac drain
Your healthcare team should show you how to empty the drain before you go home. Instructions may vary, so follow the specific steps given to you. In general, emptying a Hemovac drain often includes the following steps:
- Wash your hands well with soap and water.
- Prepare a clean measuring container and drainage record sheet if provided.
- Unpin or unclamp the drain from your clothing, being careful not to pull on the tubing.
- Open the cap or stopper without touching the inside of the opening.
- Turn the drain upside down and empty the fluid into the measuring container.
- Measure the amount of drainage.
- Compress the Hemovac container to remove air.
- Close the cap or stopper while keeping the container compressed.
- Record the amount, color and time.
- Wash your hands again when finished.
Keeping the container compressed is important because compression helps maintain suction. If the container is not compressed after emptying, it may not drain correctly.
How often should a Hemovac drain be emptied?
Your healthcare provider will tell you how often to empty your Hemovac drain. Some instructions recommend emptying and measuring the drainage at regular times each day or whenever the container becomes full enough to reduce suction.
Do not wait until the drain is overfilled if you were told to empty it sooner. A full or expanded container may not provide the suction needed to remove fluid effectively.
How to record Hemovac drainage
Recording drainage helps your healthcare team decide how healing is progressing and when the drain may be ready for removal. If you were given a drainage log, use it exactly as instructed.
A drainage record may include:
- Date and time.
- Amount of drainage in milliliters or another unit your team uses.
- Color of the fluid.
- Any odor or change in appearance.
- Symptoms such as pain, swelling or fever.
Bring the record to follow-up visits. Your provider may use it to decide whether the drain should stay in longer or be removed.
How to care for the drain site
The drain insertion site is the area where the tube enters the skin. Keeping this area clean and watching for signs of infection are important parts of drain care.
General care may include:
- Washing your hands before touching the drain or dressing.
- Changing the dressing as instructed.
- Keeping the tubing secured so it does not pull.
- Checking that the tubing is not kinked or blocked.
- Watching for redness, warmth, swelling or pus.
- Keeping the drain below the insertion site if instructed.
Do not apply creams, powders, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or other products to the site unless your healthcare provider tells you to do so.
Can you shower with a Hemovac drain?
Showering instructions depend on your surgery, incision, dressing and provider’s instructions. Some patients are told to keep the area dry or take sponge baths until the drain is removed. Others may receive specific instructions for showering safely.
Do not soak the incision or drain site in a bath, pool or hot tub unless your healthcare provider says it is safe. Soaking can increase infection risk or affect wound healing.
How to avoid pulling on the drain
Accidental pulling can be painful and may affect the drain or wound. To reduce the risk:
- Pin or secure the drain to clothing as instructed.
- Avoid sleeping directly on the drain tubing.
- Wear loose clothing that does not tug on the tubing.
- Keep the drain supported when walking or changing position.
- Check the tubing before standing up, especially after resting.
If the drain pulls out, moves inward or seems damaged, contact your healthcare provider. Do not try to push tubing back into the wound.
When is a Hemovac drain removed?
A Hemovac drain is removed when your healthcare provider decides it is no longer needed. This decision may depend on the amount of drainage, the type of surgery, the appearance of the wound and your overall recovery.
Some providers remove the drain when drainage falls below a certain amount over a specific period. The exact number can vary. Follow your own surgeon’s instructions rather than using a general rule from the internet.
Do not remove a Hemovac drain yourself unless you were specifically instructed and trained to do so.
Warning signs: when to call your healthcare provider
Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you notice:
- Fever or chills.
- Increasing redness, warmth or swelling around the drain site.
- Worsening pain around the incision or drain.
- Drainage that smells bad or looks like pus.
- Sudden increase in bloody drainage.
- Drainage suddenly stops when fluid is expected.
- The drain will not stay compressed.
- The tubing becomes blocked, cracked, loose or pulled out.
- The dressing becomes soaked quickly.
- You feel very weak, dizzy or unwell.
If symptoms are severe, sudden or life-threatening, use local emergency services.
What if the Hemovac will not stay compressed?
If the Hemovac container will not stay compressed, it may not be maintaining suction. This can happen if the cap is not sealed, the drain is full, the tubing is disconnected or there is another problem with the system.
Do not ignore loss of suction. Try only the steps your healthcare team has taught you, such as checking that the cap is closed and the tubing is not kinked. Contact your healthcare provider if the container will not stay compressed.
What if drainage suddenly stops?
Drainage may decrease as healing improves, but a sudden stop can also happen if the tubing is kinked, blocked or the drain is no longer working correctly.
Check for obvious kinks or compression in the tubing if you were instructed to do so. Do not insert anything into the tube or try to flush the drain unless your healthcare provider specifically told you to. Contact your healthcare team if you are unsure.
Questions to ask before going home
If you are being discharged with a Hemovac drain, useful questions include:
- How often should I empty the drain?
- How should I measure and record the drainage?
- What color or amount of drainage should concern me?
- How do I keep the drain compressed?
- Can I shower, or should I take sponge baths?
- How should I secure the tubing?
- When should I call the clinic?
- When will the drain likely be removed?
Quick summary
- A Hemovac drain removes blood or fluid after surgery.
- It is a closed suction drain.
- The container must usually stay compressed to keep suction working.
- Drainage should be emptied, measured and recorded as instructed.
- Do not pull on, cut, flush or remove the drain unless instructed.
- Call your healthcare provider for fever, worsening pain, pus, bad odor, heavy bleeding, loss of suction or drain movement.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Hemovac drain used for?
A Hemovac drain is used after surgery to remove blood, fluid or other drainage from the surgical area. It helps reduce fluid buildup and allows the healthcare team to monitor drainage during healing.
How does a Hemovac drain create suction?
The collection container creates suction when it is compressed and closed correctly. This suction helps pull fluid through the tubing and into the drain container.
How often should I empty my Hemovac drain?
Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions. Some patients are told to empty and measure the drain at regular times each day or whenever the container becomes full enough to reduce suction.
What should I do if my Hemovac drain falls out?
Cover the area with a clean dressing and contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not try to push the tube back into the wound.
Is Hemovac drainage supposed to be bloody?
Drainage may be bloody at first after surgery and may become lighter over time. However, sudden heavy bleeding, bad odor, pus-like drainage or a major change in drainage should be reported to a healthcare professional.
Can I shower with a Hemovac drain?
Showering depends on your surgery and the instructions from your healthcare team. Some patients are told to keep the area dry or take sponge baths until the drain is removed.
Can I remove a Hemovac drain myself?
No. Do not remove a Hemovac drain yourself unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs and trains you to do so. Removing it incorrectly can affect healing or cause complications.