What type of gastric suction is typically used for drainage?

Continuous drainage is the type of gastric suction commonly employed for drainage purposes. This method allows for a constant removal of gastric contents, helping to prevent the accumulation of fluids and reducing the risk of aspiration, especially in patients who may have complications such as bowel obstructions, gastrointestinal bleeding, or who have undergone certain surgical procedures.

Using continuous drainage helps maintain a stable intra-gastric environment, facilitating healing and recovery. It ensures that debris, excess fluids, and potentially harmful substances are consistently evacuated from the stomach, thereby improving patient comfort and safety.

In contrast, other types of gastric suction may not provide the same level of consistent fluid removal. High-pressure suction, for example, could result in the risk of damage to the gastric mucosa due to excessive negative pressure. Manual suction is often used for specific purposes rather than ongoing drainage, and immediate drainage is less common as a term in this context, as it does not specify a sustained method of removal.