Jackson-Pratt drain

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A Jackson-Pratt drain, JP drain, or Bulb drain, is a suction drainage device used to pull excess fluid from the body by constant suction. The device consists of a flexible plastic bulb -- shaped something like a hand grenade -- that connects to an internal plastic drainage tube. Removing the plug and squeezing the bulb removes air, which creates a lower air pressure within the drainage tubing. The best way to accomplish this is to essentially fold the drain in half while it is uncapped, then while folded, recap the drain.

This action causes fluid to be gradually sucked of the body and into the bulb itself. The bulb may be repeatedly opened to remove the collected fluid and squeezed again to restore suction. It is best to empty drains before they are more than half full to avoid the discomfort of the weight of the drain pulling on the internal tubing.

Patients or caretakers can "milk" or "strip" the drains by taking a damp towel or piece of cloth and bracing the portion of the tubing closest to the body with your fingers, run the cloth down the length of the tube to the drain bulb. One can also put a little bit of lotion or mineral oil on their fingertips to lubricate the tube to make stripping easier. The portion of the tube closest to the exit point of the drain from the body should be gripped first, and once the length of the drain is stripped, the end closest to the bulb should then be released. This increases the level of suction and helps to move clots through the drainage tube into the bulb.

[edit] References

[1] The Cleveland Clinic

[2] Detailed care instructions from Drugs.com