A team of medical scientists at Penza State University has developed a multilayer drainage tube featuring replaceable parts. In preliminary trials, its use in cleansing wounds after surgery accelerated healing and shortened hospital stays.
Drainage tubes play a crucial role in removing purulent secretions from surgical wounds, a necessity for about half of postoperative patients. Yet these tubes often clog with blood clots and other discharges, and changing them can be risky and difficult for patients and medical staff alike.
The new design centers on a multilayer structure that includes an inner container crafted from microporous nylon fabric, filled with an absorbent powder. This section is designed to be replaced repeatedly during care.
The absorbent core captures the liquid discharge, while the drained contents are removed through specialized holes. The inner tube and the absorbent cylinder can be detached and swapped out, preventing clogging of the drainage system. Attaching this device to a patient after surgery enables rapid and efficient clearance of purulent spaces, reducing discomfort and the likelihood of tissue damage or additional surgical intervention, according to Oleg Zenin, a Doctor of Medical Sciences and Professor in the Department of Human Anatomy at Penza State University, as reported to the Ministry source.
Trial use of the tubes occurred at a first surgical department of a regional medical association. The findings indicated faster clearance of purulent cavities and a reduction in postoperative hospital stay by an average of three to five days, signaling meaningful improvements in recovery timelines.
Researchers anticipate expanding the device’s applications to a range of medical fields, including military field surgery, traumatology, and cosmetic medicine. The technology is considered suitable for abdominal, pulmonary, and thoracic surgeries, with potential relevance to conditions such as acute destructive pancreatitis, liver and lung abscesses, echinococcosis, and pancreatic necrosis, among others. No external links are provided here, and citations point to the originating institutions and official reports for verification.
The invention has already been patented, and the developers expect it to enter practical healthcare use within Russia in the near term, bringing a new approach to wound drainage and postoperative care to clinical practice with ongoing verification in medical settings.