Welcome to our lesson on wash and suction in surgery! ​ In surgery, it is important to keep tissues wet and the surgical site clear in order to allow the surgeon to see and work on the area more easily. To do this, the surgical team may use a variety of techniques, including wash and suction. ​ Wash is the process of using a sterile solution to flush out any blood or debris from the surgical site. This helps to keep the area clean and visible for the surgeon. The solution used for wash is usually a sterile saline solution, but other solutions may be used depending on the specific needs of the surgery. For example, a solution containing an antibiotic may be used to help prevent infection. Wash is incredibly important for better outcomes as body tissues dry out when exposed to air. Dry internal tissue is prone to necrosis and cell death, which is then associated with worse healing and surgical complications. It’s therefore important to ensure all internal tissue is kept wet. ​ Suction is the process of using a suction device to remove fluids, such as blood or irrigation solution, from the surgical site. Suction helps to keep the surgical site clear and allows the surgeon to see and work on the area more easily. The suction device consists of a tube with a pointed end that is inserted into the surgical site, and a collection container that is attached to the other end. When the device is activated, it creates a vacuum that sucks up the fluids from the surgical site. A top tip for using a suction device is to remember to keep your finger or thumb over the whole halfway up to the suction tube. This is how the device obtains a good seal and therefore work effectively. ​ In addition to standard suction, the surgical team may also use a technique called "cell salvage." Cell salvage is a process in which the suctioned blood is collected, filtered, and then returned to the patient during the surgery. This can help to reduce the amount of donor blood that is needed during the surgery and minimize the risk of transfusion-related complications. Cell salvage involves the use of a special machine that filters and cleans the suctioned blood, making it safe for transfusion back into the patient. ​ The surgical team should also be mindful of the amount of fluids being removed from the patient and take steps to replace fluids as needed to maintain the patient's hydration and blood pressure. ​ In summary, wash and suction are important techniques used in surgery to keep tissues wet and the surgical site clear. Standard suction is used to remove fluids from the surgical site, while cell salvage is a technique that involves collecting, filtering, and returning the suctioned blood to the patient during the surgery. Both techniques help to improve visibility and allow the surgeon to work more effectively during the surgery. It is important to properly maintain and sterilize the equipment and to carefully monitor the patient's fluid balance during the surgery.