Suction Tips

The tubular design of the suction tip makes visual inspections of these devices essentially impossible without aid of devices such as borescopes.

Some points to consider when performing borescope inspections:

Preparation:

1. Ensure the borescope is appropriately sized for the suction tips to be inspected

Areas to focus inspections on:

1. Distal end, particularly if designed to be removed and/or minimize tissue adherence, such as with Poole or Yankauer tips
   
2. Threads of any removable ends
   
3. Inner surface of all lumen(s), including auxiliary lumens, such as with suction/irrigation devices
4. Areas where the inner surface expands and brushing may be more difficult, such as in a hollow handle
   
5. Suction control features, such as the finger valve of a Frazier or Baron tips

What to look for:

1. Damage:
   
1. Distal end ground away from drill contact
   
2. Crushing
   
3. Kinking from excessive bending
   
4. Cracking at weld joints
   
5. Pitting from corrosion
   
2. Debris:
   
1. Filaments from cleaning implements
   
2. Bone fragments
   
3. Blood clots
   
4. Metal shavings
3. Discoloration:
   
1. Dried blood
   
2. Rust/corrosion
   
3. Base metal showing through stainless steel layer
   
4. Hard water/mineral deposits
4. Droplets:
   
1. Blood
   
2. Irrigation fluid
   
3. Cleaning fluids, including simethicone
   
4. Rinse water

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