What is serosanguineous drainage?

Serosanguineous drainage is characterized by its thin and watery consistency that contains some blood, giving it a pinkish hue. This type of drainage is often seen during the healing process, particularly when there is some degree of bleeding. It is typically associated with a typical post-surgical or injury-related healing environment, where serum from tissue fluid mixes with red blood cells, leading to the appearance of this type of discharge.

In contrast to other types of drainage, such as those that are thick with strong odors or clear with pus, serosanguineous drainage is lighter and combines elements of serum and blood rather than being purely one substance or another. The presence of blood alongside the clear fluid indicates that there has been some minor bleeding, often part of normal healing, rather than an infection or a more serious complication.