Application and influence of four drain configurations on fluid dispersal and retrieval in a cadaveric canine wound infusion-retrieval system model.

Objective: To describe fluid dispersal and retrieval patterns in an infusion-retrieval system across various configurations and locations in a cadaveric canine model.

Study design: Cadaveric study.

Animals: Four large breed canines.

Methods: Four full-thickness wounds (10 × 10 cm) were created bilaterally in four canine cadavers (shoulder, thorax, flank, and thigh). A wound infusion catheter and active suction drain were placed in four configurations (diagonal, opposite, parallel, and perpendicular) and the incisions were closed. Diluted methylene blue was instilled, allowed to dwell for 10 min, and quantified after retrieval. A 14 × 14 cm full-thickness skin segment, including the initial 10 × 10 cm wound, was removed. Images of the removed skin and cadaver wound bed were taken to calculate surface area (SA) and to evaluate fluid dispersion. A mixed-effects linear regression model was used for statistical analysis.

Results: Fluid retrieval did not differ by configuration (p = .92) or location (p = .32), although the perpendicular configuration resulted in the highest retrieval (11.35 ± 6.1 mL) (56.8 ± 30% volume instilled) and the flank location resulted in the lowest (7.2 ± 6.4 mL) (35.9 ± 32% volume instilled). Configuration influenced SA coverage of the wound bed (p < .01), whereas location did not (p = .10). The parallel configuration had the greatest SA coverage (83.4 ± 11.6%). No difference existed for leakage of methylene blue (MB) beyond the borders for configuration (p = .74) or location (p = .10).

Conclusion: The parallel configuration maximized the fluid dispersion within the cadaveric wound bed in comparison with other configurations (p < .01).

Clinical significance: An infusion-retrieval system could be considered during wound closure to administer topical solutions and remove excess free fluid.