suction canister

core0 · Mar 13, 2009

after a surgery was over i attempted to change out a full suction canister but it started to splatter out. an attendant ended up getting it. i'm still orienting so if i come across this situation again. what's the best way to prevent it splattering? and if i'm changing out the canister during a surgery, do i turn off the suction and then change it or can i change everything without turning the suction off? i guess i'm not understanding how the pressure build up works

Usually the suction canisters are on 2 or 4 canister trees. The suction feeds into a central manifold and then goes out to the canisters. There should be a valve for each canister. To change the canister you turn off the suction and then change the tubing to another canister. Then turn on the suction to that canister. If you still have problems with it splattering you can unhook it from the manifold end after you turn the suction off to decompress it.

David Carpenter, PA-C

linda2097 · Mar 13, 2009

And wear goggles when you circulate.

Scrubby · Mar 13, 2009

Try not to let the suction cannisters get too full or they will start to splatter out. I've seen one sort of explode during a TURP. Not fun to clean up.

mcmike55 · Mar 29, 2009

Agreed,,,,try not to let them get really full....typically the top measurement marks on the jar allow for accurate measures, and still leave some room at the top.

Pull the suction off then go from there. Protecting the eyes, and wearing other PPE's...very important.

The problem then is too getting the full cannister off the rack without spilling, then later dumping them in the hopper.

That's why I glad our hospital went to Stryker Neptue suction systems....completely closed system,

Two cannisters 4 and 20 liters, I think,,,something like that,,,,and totally separate suction controls...and a smoke evac. system included too.

Mike