A portable system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing a surgical wound includes a wound dressing dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject and a portable subatmospheric pressure mechanism dimensioned to be carried or worn by the subject. The subatmospheric pressure mechanism includes a housing having a control unit, a collection canister, and means for releasably connecting the housing and the canister. The collection canister collects exudates from the wound bed which has been removed under subatmospheric pressure supplied by the control unit. The connection means between the housing and the canister permits the removal of the canister for emptying thereof or replacement with a new collection canister.
