How to change a Percutaneous Trans-hepatic Cholangiogram (PTC) dressing

Who is the leaflet for? What is its aim?

This leaflet is for patient’s being discharged into the community with a Percutaneous Trans-hepatic Cholangiogram (PTC) external drain. This is for guidance of how you or your district nurses can care for your drain.

A PTC drain is a drain which has been inserted into the biliary system to allow bile to drain out of the body. Your drain will look like either of the photos below. These are the same; they are just a different type of locking mechanism.

How to change the dressing

1. Sterile technique, Saline, Gauze, Drain fix, and Tegaderm film if drain fix is not available, gauze will be sufficient Place gauze around the site if the drain, ensuring it’s held down securely by the Tegaderm film*.

2. Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap. Clean the site of the drain using saline and gauze, ensure the stitch is secure.

3. Place the drain fix so the drain sits inside the slit of the dressing as seen below.

4. Pull the tab over the drain securing this in place.

5. Using the Tegaderm film, coil the drain as seen in the picture ensuring the tubing is not kinked.

How to change the tubing

If the tube attached to the drain breaks or becomes weakened this can be changed as seen in the picture; this does not routinely need changing.