Stitch taken out from drain

[Keever]

After having my stitches out from my drain site , I coughed and fluid shot out , I had a sore breastbone, which has now eased ,I’m presuming because of a build up of fluid, but my rib cage is still sore ,anyone else had this

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear Keever

The hole where your chest drain was may have had some residue leakage, the pressure of coughing could have released what was sitting there. The hole usually heals up in about 2-3 weeks, however if you notice an increase in fluid from the chest drain site, or if the skin around this looks red, inflamed or painful, do get this checked out to ensure there is no infection.

The chest drain site should be checked a few days after stitch removal and a dressing is usually in place to collect any fluid and protect against infection.

Sometimes a district nurse is allocated to check your drain site and if you are concerned about this or have not been allocated a district nurse, contact your lung cancer nurse specialist to discuss or GP.

Sorry to hear you have pain in your rib cage, this can take a few weeks to ease and is important to continue taking your pain medication. If you feel this is not helping you can either ask your GP or local pharmacist for advice.

This is the link to our surgery booklet with after care, recovery and timelines:

roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

If there is anything else you would like to discuss you can either email us at [e-mail] or call our free phone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

Ask the nurse

[Keever in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Thankyou , x

[JanetteR57]

I found the removal of the drain tubes more painful than lung surgery itself (presumably as there'd been much more anaesthetic at the latter) and the scars took longer to heal too (think glue and internal stitches were used as well as external stitching on my lobectomy but it's certainly a neater scar) the area affected by surgery either the cut/s or drain tube can be tender for a while but will improve. onwards and upwards with your recovery....