What Is a Wick in a Wound? Drainage Management Tool
What is a wick in a wound?
The Quick Answer
A **wound wick** is a narrow strip of sterile gauze or ribbon dressing inserted into a wound cavity or abscess pocket to maintain drainage pathways and prevent premature surface closure. It absorbs exudate while keeping wound edges separated—allowing healing to progress from the base upward rather than sealing over unhealed depth. Wick removal typically occurs after 3–4 days once granulation tissue begins forming at the wound base.
Why We Ask This
Patients fear wicks will 'keep the wound open,' not understanding that premature closure over unhealed depth traps bacteria and fluid—causing recurrent abscesses. Proper wicking enables healing from depth outward, preventing complications that would require repeated incision and drainage procedures.
The Practical Science
Wicks maintain an open sinus tract through capillary action—drawing exudate vertically through the gauze fibers while preventing epithelial migration across the wound surface. This allows fibroblasts and capillaries to infiltrate from the wound base, creating healthy granulation tissue before final epithelialization.
In Clinical Practice
After incision and drainage of a gluteal abscess, a surgeon places a sterile iodoform gauze wick into the cavity—patient removes it after 72 hours once drainage decreases, revealing healthy pink granulation tissue at the base rather than recurrent pus accumulation from premature closure.
References & Context
wick | Taber's Medical Dictionary - Nursing Central"(wĭk ) Any material that absorbs liquids. Wicks are used in wounds and cavities to drain accumulated fluids."