Yankauer Suction
The Yankauer suction instrument is a widely used, relatively broad-bore operative suction pattern for clearing fluid and debris from an open field.[4] Bulb-tip, open-tip, rigid, flexible, vented and non-vented models exist.[4] Use a finer Frazier tip when the surgical corridor or tissue demands more precise aspiration.
Design
- Tip and shaft vary. CONMED currently lists sterile single-use rigid open-tip and bulb-tip models, with or without a control vent; Cardinal Health’s Argyle line includes flexible Yankauers, and the ICRC catalog lists a chrome-plated steel Yankauer.[5][6]
- Side eyes on CONMED's rigid Yankauers are designed to reduce the chance of tissue grab; the open-tip version permits access to tight spaces.[4]
- Tubing, vent and on/off switch depend on model. Confirm fit and the manufacturer's instructions before connecting to the suction source.[4]
Reconstructive / Functional Urology Uses
The Yankauer is a common open-field suction option across the WARWIKI operative landscape:
- Open urethroplasty and perineal reconstruction. Bulbar exposure with perineal Bookwalter, posterior anastomotic urethroplasty, perineal urethrostomy, RUF repair
- Open and laparoscopic abdominal reconstruction. Cystectomy and diversion, augmentation cystoplasty, Mitrofanoff, fistula repair, Boari flap, ureteroureterostomy
- Vaginal reconstructive cases. VVF repair, anterior / posterior colporrhaphy, sacrocolpopexy, SSLF
- GAS / cosmetic genital surgery. Vaginoplasty, phalloplasty, scrotoplasty
- Donor-site management. STSG / FTSG / BMG donor sites
For finer suction near the operative target (urethra, ureter, NVB, microsurgical anastomosis), switch to a Frazier tip; for high-volume abdominal evacuation, switch to a Poole multi-hole rigid sucker.
Performance — What the Data Show
Finke's technical simulation compared a specific 18 Ch Yankauer, 14 Ch soft catheter and 28 Ch DuCanto at one vacuum setting using water and xanthan-thickened fluid. Flow ranked DuCanto, then Yankauer, then the 14 Ch soft catheter across the four tested fluid consistencies. Device diameter and test conditions limit transfer to other models and operative sites.[1]
| Suction device | Performance characteristic | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Yankauer | Intermediate flow in Finke's three-device, four-fluid technical simulation | Finke 2022[1] |
| Commercial large-bore catheter | Faster than the tested Yankauer in Finke's simulation and Nikolla's separate laboratory comparison | Finke 2022; Nikolla 2021[1][2] |
| ETT + meconium aspirator | Investigated as a makeshift airway-suction comparator | Kei 2017[3] |
Viscous or particulate material can reduce flow or obstruct a tip; larger-bore designs may behave differently. For catheter washout and endoscopic bladder-content evacuation, see the separate Toomey syringe and Ellik evacuator workflows.
Limitations
- Clogs on thick or particulate material. Organized clot, dense pus, tissue debris
- Rigid design. Single-axis suction is good for the broad operative field but not for narrow deep-pelvic corridors (use Frazier)
- Control depends on model. Vented, non-vented and switch-controlled versions differ; no tip should be held against delicate tissue
Yankauer vs Adjacent Suction Devices
| Device | Bore / tip | Best fit | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yankauer | Bulb or open tip; control varies | General open-field operative suction | Can clog on viscous/particulate matter or grab tissue |
| Poole (Pool) suction | Wide-bore multi-hole rigid | High-volume abdominal evacuation | Bulky |
| Frazier suction | Fine tapered with thumb-vent | Delicate reconstructive fields, NVB, microsurgical | Low volumetric capacity |
| Toomey syringe | Manual irrigation-aspiration via catheter | Bladder MBW, catheter-coupled irrigation | Operator-power ceiling |
| Ellik evacuator | Manual bulb via compatible endoscopic sheath | Operative bladder tissue / clot evacuation | Sheath limits material passage; pressure varies |
Bottom Line
The Yankauer is a practical general open-field suction choice. Select a tip, vent, tubing and regulated suction source for the actual field; use a fine tip for delicate dissection and an appropriate large-volume device for fluid pools.
See also: Poole Suction, Frazier Suction, Ellik Evacuator, Toomey Syringe.
References
1. Finke SR, Schroeder DC, Ecker H, et al. "Comparing suction rates of novel DuCanto catheter against Yankauer and standard suction catheter using liquids of different viscosity — a technical simulation." BMC Anesthesiol. 2022;22(1):285. doi:10.1186/s12871-022-01830-2
2. Nikolla DA, King B, Heslin A, Carlson JN. "Comparison of suction rates between a standard Yankauer, a commercial large-bore suction device, and a makeshift large-bore suction device." J Emerg Med. 2021;61(3):265–270. doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2021.02.028
3. Kei J, Mebust DP. "Comparing the effectiveness of a novel suction set-up using an adult endotracheal tube connected to a meconium aspirator vs. a traditional Yankauer suction instrument." J Emerg Med. 2017;52(4):433–437. doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2016.09.006
4. CONMED. Suction Instruments and Tubing: current Yankauer product range. Accessed September 21, 2026.
5. ICRC/IFRC. Standard products catalogue: Frazier, Yankauer and Poole suction tubes. Updated 2018.
6. Cardinal Health. Argyle Flexible Yankauer Suction Instruments, model 8888501031. Product catalog. Accessed October 8, 2026.