Suction drainage, using silicone rubber catheters, is suggested as a method to provide more complete drainage of orthopaedic wounds. A series of 100 cases has been analyzed. It is our impression that wounds involving medullary bone in which complete hemostasis cannot be achieved by ordinary techniques, and wounds in which a potential dead space exists, should have suction drainage. A more benign and uncomplicated postoperative course can be anticipated if this treatment is used.