The Shirley wound drain or sump drain is a

suction Suction is the day-to-day term for the movement of gases or liquids along a pressure gradient with the implication that the movement occurs because the lower pressure pulls the gas or liquid. However, the forces acting in this case do not orig ...

drain with an intake tube that provides air to the bottom of the main tube. This allows a continuous flow of suction so that the tube doesn't get blocked. The Shirley drain is a double-lumen drainage tube intended to aspirate efficiently the contents of a fresh surgical wound. It removes the blood oozing from the walls of the wound cavity before it clots.

History

The Shirley drain was invented in 1957 by surgeon and inventor Dr. Harold W. Andersen.

References

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