Experimental comparison of abdominal drainage systems

BackgroundIn an experimental study the performance of different closed abdominal drainage systems was tested.MethodsA vacuum bottle designed for Redon Drainage, a flexible plastic bulb designed for Jackson-Pratt drains and a V.A.C.® Negative Pressure Wound Therapy System were used. In a porcine cadaveric study mimicking the abdominal cavity the intrinsic pressure (IP) at one and three minutes (T0, T3) and the amount of evacuated fluid were measured.ResultsThe Redon and Jackson drainage displayed a rapid decline to IP values of almost zero comparing T0 and T3. Only the V.A.C.® system was able to preserve constant values of negative IP values measured at both time points. Only the V.A.C.® system was able to remove almost the whole amount of inserted fluid.ConclusionsIn an experimental setting the V.A.C.® system was superior to the other two tested systems in delivering constant negative IP and the amount of evacuated fluid.