It is estimated that 50 million surgical drains are placed each year in the U.S.  Today, as they have done for centuries, surgeons secure drains in place by tethering them to the skin with sutures. This approach has several shortcomings:

• There is no standardization.
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  Did you know? Different surgeons use different techniques, resulting in variable effectiveness.
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• There is potential for inadvertent and early drain loss, which can lead to significant complications and avoidable costs.
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  ‍Did you know? Inadvertent, or early drain loss can lead to complications that require (re)admission to the hospital or a return to the operating room, with avoidable costs that are estimated to range from $5,000 - $35,000 per event.
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• Inadvertent pulls on the drain tubing causes pain and gradual irritation of the skin. This significantly contributes to postoperative disability and diminished “quality of life” for surgical patients.
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  Did you know? According to a recent study nearly 85% of patients report that drains make it difficult to complete simple, daily tasks; and, two-thirds or more report that drains negatively impact their mood and their quality of sleep.
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• A majority of patients complain about their drain sites and may experience pain at their drain site(s) that is as bad as the pain at their incision/surgical site.
  
  Did you know? According to the same study referenced above, at least two-thirds of patients complain of significant skin irritation and PAIN at their drain site. This pain is so significant that 90% of respondents report using over-the-counter medications for it, nearly half report using prescription medications (i.e. opioids) for it, and over 10% reported a healthcare visit for drain-related pain. Even 2-3 weeks after surgery, patients rate the intensity of the pain at their drain site as similar to the pain at their incision site!

If you think there should be a better way – now there is!