Evaluation of a new, improved surgical drainage system.

A new, improved drainage system has been specifically designed to provide either closed suction drainage for the ambulating patient or sump drainage for the patient confined to bed. This drainage system is made of silicone that has a hydrogel coating with a low coefficient of friction. This coating facilitates removal of the drain from the wound cavity and reduces the adherence of blood clots in the drainage system. A filter assembly is attached to the air vent lumen to remove particulate matter and bacteria from the air. Clinical evaluation of the filtered sump drainage system has confirmed its superiority over closed suction in its efficiency of removing fluids from the wound.