Disclosed is an evacuation apparatus for a surgical site. The apparatus comprises a housing (22) having a top surface (24), a bottom surface spaced from the top surface, and an outer side wall (28) extending at least partially between the top and bottom surfaces. The top surface, the bottom surface and the outer sidewall define an inner cavity (32) of the housing. An access opening (34) extends between the top surface and the bottom surface. An inner facing (36) is provided along a perimeter of the access opening. A generally porous support material is positioned adjacent to or in the inner cavity such that the support material resists the collapse of the housing. The inner cavity is provided in fluid communication with the access opening via the inner facing. One or more ingress apertures (38, see also 103 figure 2), formed in the outer side wall (28), are provided in fluid communication with the access opening. A filter media is positioned adjacent to or in the inner cavity, and is distinct from and outside the support material, such that a flow of fluid through the ingress apertures moves through the filter media. A vacuum source (14) is provided in fluid communication with the inner cavity to draw surgical byproduct into the inner cavity.
