Which of the following is NOT an example of an active post-op drain?

• A. Penrose
• B. Hemovac
• C. Jackson-Pratt
• D. T-tube

Answer: (A)

Active drains rely on suction to actively remove fluid from the surgical area. A Penrose drain is a passive drainage method: a soft rubber tube placed in the wound with the end open to air, allowing drainage to occur by gravity and tissue pressure without any suction device. That’s why it’s not considered an active post‑op drain.

In contrast, Hemovac and Jackson‑Pratt drains are closed‑suction systems that use negative pressure to pull fluid out, making them active drains. A T‑tube, used for biliary drainage, typically drains by gravity into a collection bag rather than through suction, so it isn’t an active drain either. The key idea is: active drains use suction; Penrose is the classic passive example.