cathy.s

The underwater seal drain is the same as used for chest tube drainage. The Replogle tube is sited in the oesophageal pouch and attached to the UWSD unit, which is attached to wall suction. This method is shown in the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne clinical guideline at the following link https://www.rch.org.au/rchcpg/hospital_clinical_guideline_index/Replogle_tube_management/

We use Replogle tubes for continuous suctioning of an oesophageal atresia pouch. Our surgeons now order that suction be applied using an underwater seal drain attached to low pressure wall suction, a practice that is new to us but apparently being used in other units. The orders also include 15 minutely flushing of the Replogle tube. Our clinical procedure is under review and we are trying to find evidence for use of the UWSD and the frequent flushing and best practice in general. I do not know what alternatives to the Replogle tube exist.