title: Use of drains in foot surgery.
abstract: The purpose of this article is to describe how drains can be effective for foot surgeons. Emphasis is placed upon the closed-wound drainage system which was designed for outpatient surgery. Removing transudative or exudative fluids will promote the healing time of a wound that would otherwise delay tissue granulation. These drains eliminate dead space by exerting a negative pressure by means of a perforated catheter, tube, and reservoir. Edema is decreased, and layers of tissue are allowed to adhere faster. The portable closed wound drainage system removes drainage against gravity to allow faster rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Faculty, University of Texas Health Science Center, Department of Family Practice and Orthopedics, San Antonio.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Berger
mesh_terms: D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005528:Foot / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans