A dressing system providing fluid supply and suction drainage used for continuous or intermittent irrigation

In this article a dressing system is described that is capable of providing continuous or intermittent wound irrigation. It is based on a felt dressing provided with an adhesive cover and ports for fluid supply and suction drainage. At continuous irrigation (approximate rate, 70 ml/h), a 1-L fluid bag and a siphon about 30 cm in height are used; at intermittent irrigation (approximate rate, 60 ml/min), a 60-ml fluid bag and a suction balloon are used. In an experimental set-up it was shown that the supplied fluid diffused throughout the dressing felt and that the felt was partly saturated both during continuous and after intermittent irrigation, the effect of gravity being counteracted by capillary force and suction. The suction pressure at the drainage port and within the occlusively applied felt showed a linear relationship. The drainage of particles, while relatively impeded at low flow rates, was satisfactory at rates recommended for clinical use. The dressing felt was inert to adherence of bacteria and white blood cells. This dressing system would seem to provide access to the whole wound surface for active therapy through fluid supply and suction drainage.