CAL 3: Wound complications and surgical drains Flashcards
Would you use a surgical drain for excision of large fibroscarcoma of DSH and reconstruction with skin flaps? Why? Type?
Yes - large dead space left (ideally closed active suction drain.
Would you use a surgical drain for open traumatic wound, 8h duration, contaminated, young Dalmation Why? Type?
No - open wound drainage indicated initially. If closed subsequently, a drain may be needed.
Would you use a surgical drain for prostatic abscess in middle-aged EM lab? Why? Type?
Physiological drain (omentum) could be drained with surgical drain but less good If abscess can be resected - no drain needed but this is rarely the case
List 3 indications for use of drain
eliminate dead space remove fluid from wound (detect fluid within wound)
How should drains be chosen? 5
WOUND FACTORS - need, fluid type, location PATIENT - tolerance HOSPITAL - availability, post-op care SYSTEM - drain type and method of evacuation COST
How can dead space be eliminated generally? 3
SURGICAL - closure of tissue layers and tacking sutures PRESSURE BANDAGES - anatomy dependent SURGICAL DRAINS - if above not sufficient If in doubt, use a drain
Why might fluid removal not be possible?
access incomplete debridement too thick continued production massive contamination
How can drainage be achieved? 4
open (contaminated wound) skin fenestration (grafts) physiological implant (omentum) surgical implant (drain)
How can drains be classified? 6
MECHANISM OF ACTION - active/passive TYPE OF IMPLANT - surface acting/ tube drain NUMBER OF LUMENS - single/double/triple SUCTION SYSTEM - commercial/home-made SUCTION PRESSURE - gravity/low/high SUCTION TYPE - closed/vented
What are the properties of an ideal drain? 5
inert soft radioopaque easy to handle cheap
What is the benefit of a closed system for an active drain?
reduces risk of ascending infection
What is this? Advantages Disadvantages? Uses?
WHAT: Penrose drain, flat cylinder, latex/silicone ADVANTAGES: soft, malleable, easily sterilised, doesn’t exert pressure DISADVANTAGES: can’t apply suction, limited efficiency, ascending infection more likely, inflammatory action great with latex USES: salivary mucocoele, abscesses
What is this? Advantages Disadvantages?
WHAT: strip drain, (penrose drain with a cut in it) ADVANTAGES: smaller, high surface area DISADVANTAGES: tricky to make, harder to hanle, structurally weaker
What is this? Advantages Disadvantages?
WHAT: cigarette drain (gauze tape in a penrose drain) ADVANTAGES: capillarity, inside/outside drain DISADVANTAGES: inflammation, increases wicking
What is this? Advantages Disadvantages?
WHAT: dental dam, latex rubber sheet rolled into tubes ADVANTAGES: as penrose (soft, malleable, easily sterilised, doesn’t exert pressure) and high surface area DISADVANTAGES: cut to size and roll, difficult handling
What is this? Advantages Disadvantages?
WHAT: corrugated drain, flat and ribbed, rubber/PVC ADVANTAGES: large diameter/variable size DISADVANTAGES: bulky, more rigid (tissue trauma)
What is this? Advantages Disadvantages?
WHAT: Yeates drain, series of tubes
ADVANTAGES: large diameter, variable size, lumina DISADVANTAGES: bulky, rigid
What is this? Advantages Disadvantages?
WHAT: tube drain - cylindrical, rubber/PVC, fenestrations ADVANTAGES: can apply suction DISADVANTAGES: rigid, lumen occlusion, collapse if excessive suction
What is this? Advantages Disadvantages?
WHAT: tube drain - FLAT, flattened cylinder, silicone rubber, fenestrations ADVANTAGES: can apply suction DISADVANTAGES: rigid, lumen occlusion, collapse with excessive suction, expensive
What is this? Advantages Disadvantages?
WHAT: sump drain, (tube drain with 2 lumina) ADVANTAGES: vented suction, for body cavities ? DISADVANTAGES: contamination (bacterial filter needed), omentalisation (blocked)
What is this? Advantages Disadvantages?
WHAT: sump-penrose (+/- fenestrations, +/-gauze) ADVANTAGES: reduced blocking DISADVANTAGES: contamination, inflammation (gauze), inefficient for intended use