The disposal of drainage canisters has been a thorny subject for a few years now. On rather shaky and “secret” data, that on eventual review is sufficient to cause concern but fails to provide conclusive proof as a problem, ATT processes were gradually revised to provide higher processing temperatures and a far greater HTAT.

These heightened processing conditions are costly in time and energy but ensure thorough heating of the contents of even the largest gel-filled suction canisters. If this really matters is separate question since any reasoned risk assessment might conclude that providing downstream waste handling prevents access even low temperature processing is sufficient. Treated wastes compacted for landfill disposal or fuel use in a kiln or incinerator should carry no risk of infection or other hazard if contact is prevented by sound management.

Many suction canisters, perhaps almost all, can reasonably be opened and pured to drain via a bedpan washer or ward sluice but we have talked ourselves out of this by concerns over hospital infection control risks though there is absolutely no evidence for this. Perhaps with hindsight the driver for this has been the introduction and promotion of disposable suction canisters by an industry intent on selling plastics disposables. And we fell for it!

Now there is a hint of change. The Biodrain Streamwayautomated surgical fluid disposal system is designed to replace traditional re-usable or disposable suction containers with a device that can handle multiple inputs, maintain hygiene and sterility, and monitor volumes. The company literature is, perhaps deliberately, vague about final disposal but it is logical to assume that effluents are discharged, with our without internal treatment, to a nearby drain.

This will be an attractive option for busy operating theatres, surgical intensive care units and trauma units but is unlikely to find application in general wards. But that might reduce by ~40% the number of disposable suction canisters entering the disposal chain, with substantial additiona