Arthroscopic portal dressing

Abstract

An arthroscopic portal dressing for use as a post operative dressing covering an arthroscopic portal to absorb and conduct away from the patient's skin, collected fluids as are passed out from the portal. The dressing includes an island component that is a pad arranged for fitting over and adhering to the skin surface around the portal to absorb fluids therefrom, and a reservoir cover to fit over one or more portals covered by island components, with the reservoir cover contoured to fit comfortably over a body section, such as a knee or shoulder. Which reservoir cover includes a pad formed from a superabsorbent material, such as a hydrophilic foam, to absorb and contain fluid that has been passed thereto from the island component, and to maintain that collected fluid away from the patient's skin. The reservoir cover includes sides or edges whereto elastic material, such as elastic threads, are secured to draw the reservoir cover's sides or edges into tight fitting engagement over the patient's skin, discouraging fluid leakage from the dressing. The reservoir cover further includes a strap or straps for fitting around the patient's joint to maintain the dressing in place and to apply a constrictive force through the dressing into the incision area to encourage fluid flow from the portal, and, as needed, one or more elastic bands can be fitted around the installed dressing to apply an additional constrictive force to the incision area and to hold a cooling material such as an ice bag or frozen gel material adjacent to the surgical site.