Bandages and Drains

Mike Conzemius, DVM, PhD

Diplomate ACVS
Iowa State University
Bandages
Wound dressings
Padded/support bandages
Robert Jones, bobby jones
Splints/Casts
Spica
full cast, half cast, metal rod reinforced bandage
Slings
Velpeau, Ehmer, Hobbles, Robinson
Pressure bandages
Wound Dressings
contact layer
adherent
dry to dry; wet to dry; wet to wet
nonadherent
semiocclusive or occlusive
padding layer
absorption of fluid, secure contact layer,
obliterate dead space
support layer
Bandage Principles
stirrups
leave access to two toes
distal to proximal
even amount of padding
even tension when applying support
layer
bandage care
Padded/Support Bandages
immobilization of fractures prior to surgery
reduction of postoperative edema
Robert Jones Bandage
heavily padded with cotton
immobilization at or below elbow or knee
Spica splint
immobilization above elbow or knee
Full Cast
Cut before finishing
Robert Jones
Robert Jones Bandage
Spica Splint
Pressure Bandages
control hemorrhage, edema, dead
space
apply from distal to proximal
apply evenly
leave access to tips of toes
12-24 hours, 30-50 mmHg
Tourniquet
Start distal
Slings
Velpeau Sling
forelimb immobilization
scapular fracture
Ehmer Sling
hindlimb immobilization
craniodorsal hip luxation
Robinson sling
hindlimb not weight bearing sling
Hobbles
ventral hip luxation
Bandage Care
check toes BID; change if swollen or cold
keep clean and dry; change if wet
change if odor develops
change if patient traumatizes bandage
change if patient anorexic, depressed, fever
change if limb function worsens
change every two weeks
every patient/owner gets written instructions
Drains
eliminate dead space
open fracture
eliminate established collection of fluid or gas
peritonitis, pleuritis
prophylactic elimination of fluid or gas that
may form
for contaminated procedures
total ear canal ablation
Penrose drain with red rubber catheter. They can be used together
and additional fenestrations can be added to increase surface area
for drainage.
Drain Classification
passive drains
fx by gravity, overflow
separate incision sites and through space
penrose, sump, triple lumen
active drains
apply negative pressure
open (pump) or closed (tube) suction
Drain Removal
drains are foreign bodies
decreased fluid production
altered fluid cellularity (type and count)
post-op hemorrhage ~ 1 to 2 days
bacterial infection ~ 2 to 5 days
large area of dead space ~ 3 to 14 days