Prevention of wound infections. A case for closed suction drainage to remove wound fluids deficient in opsonic proteins.
Fluids collecting in surgical wounds in both dogs and man have been shown to lose progressively the ability to opsonize bacteria for phagocytosis and killing of bacteria by normal neutrophils. Since the collection of fluids in potentially contaminated wounds also interferes with access of phagocytic cells to contaminating bacteria and provides a pablum for growth, their removal seems to be indicated to minimize the risk of infection. This can be accomplished easily and safely with the use of closed suction drainage as demonstrated in 100 patients undergoing bilateral nephrectomy, splenectomy, and renal transplantation.
D000818:Animals; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000032:analysis; D004285:Dogs; D004322:Drainage; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D009392:Nephrectomy; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects; D009895:Opsonin Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D009895:Opsonin Proteins