A new filtered sump tube for wound drainage.

A new filtered sump tube has been designed for drainage of collections of fluids from wounds without the danger of infection by airborne contaminants. A two-staged filter has been attached to the vent lumen that removes particulate matter and bacteria from the air that passes through the filter. A clinical evaluation of this tube confirms the superiority of sump drainage as compared with closed suction drainage in the removal of fluids from wounds or cavities.