Abstract: A vacuum canister for use in surgical or other applications. The vacuum canister of the invention includes a shell that defines an interior volume. An integral handle is provided to assist in manipulating the vacuum canister. The shell has an open top, a bottom surface and a plurality of rows of recessed structures. The plurality of rows of recessed structures defines a plurality of circumferential horizontal reinforcement ribs and a plurality of vertical reinforcement ribs therebetween. A cap is provided to seal the open top of the vacuum canister. The cap defines a vacuum orifice and a pair of instrument orifices, i.e., an ortho orifice and a patient orifice. Additionally, the cap defines a drain orifice, which is preferably of a larger size than the instrument orifices. The cap further defines a filter receptacle in communication with the vacuum orifice.