Drainage tubes (e.g.,intracranial,abdominal cavity,and thoracic) are commonly used to drain blood and fluid collections after surgery. Drainage tubes are mostly made from medical plastic or rubber^[1],and are sewn to the skin. However,these usually fail due to the lack of fixation perpendicular to the skin and the variety of tube materials. The tube can fall out or penetrate even deeper into the brain,which can lead to inadequate drainage,bleeding,infection,delayed healing, or even secondary puncture and repeat surgery^{[2, 3, 4]}. Significant drain movement can endanger a patient’s life^{[5, 6]}. Not only does pain increase,but medical resources are also wasted. In addition,almost all drainage tube devices in present clinical use only attach to a single drainage tube material,and the specifications are limited. Thus,the useful range is narrow. To address these problems,we designed a new device,consisting of a drainage tube fixator and diverter with a rotating handle (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Schematic cross‐section of the device. a. Plastic diverter with memory function; b. base with circular arc and chamfering of the edge; c. rotating handle; d. skin‐fixation wings.

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The drainage tube fixator and diverter are made of plastic and contain a pair of skin‐fixation wings,a base with a circular arc and chamfering of the edge,a removable stopper,and a plastic diverter with memory function (Figure 2). There are 2 holes on either side of the skin‐fixation wings,through which the wings can be sewn to the skin or stapled for strength and stability. A base with a circular arc and chamfering of the edge can effectively avoid trauma caused by contact. There is a groove between the intines inside the base. The limiting stopper can be moved in the base by rotating the thread (Figures 3 and 4). As a result,the device can be used with tubes of different specifications and materials. The stopper firmly fixes the tube to the skin exit and prevents both vertical and horizontal movement on the skin. The groove in the plastic diverter with memory function forms a round downward hole. After tube placement,elastic closure due to the memory function will fix the tube, which makes it convenient to insert and remove.

Figure 2 Top view of the fixture. a. Plastic diverter with memory function; b. skin‐fixation wings; c. check nut; d. base with circular arc and chamfering of the edge; e. removable stopper; f. rotating handle.

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Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the removable stopper.

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Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the rotating handle. a. Rotating handle; b. hexagonal internal head.

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How is the device used? First,the drainage tube and surrounding skin are cleaned. Second,the base is fixed to the skin using the wings. The tube is then inserted through the hole and the rotating handle is used to move the limiting stopper towards the opposite side until the tube is pinched. This will prevent the tube from moving perpendicular to the skin. Finally, the tube is bent and inserted into the plastic diverter with memory function to prevent horizontal movement on the skin. Our experience shows that the new drainage tube device has a feasible design. In addition to being sewn or stapled to the skin,the removable stopper and plastic diverter with memory function work together to ensure that the drainage tube is fixed firmly (Figure 5). Therefore,the tube will not move either perpendicular or horizontal to the skin. In addition,the fixture can be used with drainage tubes with different specifications and materials. The limiting stopper can be moved easily,which enables local skin disinfection around the drainage tube. In conclusion, the device deserves clinical promotion.

Figure 5 Application of the drainage tube device. a. Drainage tube

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The authors have no financial interest to disclose regarding the article.