Care of T-tube after discharge from hospital

  When performing biliary ductotomy or exploration, a T-tube needs to be placed to drain the residual sediment-like stones and bile containing toxins from the bile ducts. The purpose is to support the bile ducts and drain the bile to reduce the edema and inflammation of the bile ducts caused by the surgical trauma. Further postoperative diagnosis and treatment, such as T-tube angiography and cholangioscopy, can also be performed through the T-tube.  After discharge from the hospital, T-tube care is very important and the following should be noted: 1. T-tube fixation should be firm and it is most important to prevent dislodgement. A thin cotton rope can be used around the abdomen for a week and then tied to fix the T-tube to prevent loosening.  2, 7-8 days after surgery, the T-tube can be elevated day by day to reduce the amount of bile out. After a few days, if there is no discomfort, the tube can be clamped for 2-3 hours on a trial basis, and the time of clamping can be extended day by day until the tube is completely clamped on the 10th-12th postoperative day. If abdominal pain, jaundice, fever and other discomforts occur during clamping, the clamp should be released and the discomfort should disappear before clamping is tried again. If it is still difficult to completely clamp the T-tube after several days, or if there are still uncomfortable symptoms after clamping, medical consultation should be sought.  3, 6-8 weeks postoperative follow-up, prepare for cholangiography and choledochoscopy. In order to simplify the medical procedure, you can first have cholangiography examination in local hospital, and then bring the cholangiography film to our hospital for follow-up, which can speed up the medical procedure.