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

Abstract

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