A 'penrose drain' is a
surgical device placed in a
wound to drain fluid. It consists of a soft rubber tube placed in a wound area, to prevent the build up of fluid.
Uses
A penrose drain removes fluid from a wound area. Frequently it is put in place by a surgeon after a procedure is complete to prevent the area from accumulating fluid, such as blood, which could serve as a medium for
bacteria to grow in. It can also be used to drain
cerebrospinal fluid to treat a
hydrocephalus patient.