Edge Trenching: A Case Study of a Novel Debridement Technique
Summary: Debridement is essential in wound bed preparation, but wounds with vertical edges often stall because tissue in the wound base does not merge with wound margins. This case study introduces “edge trenching,” where a small trench is excavated between the wound base and wall to facilitate merger and create a favorable angle for epithelial migration. A 73-year-old male with a chronic Charcot ulcer underwent this technique, achieving closure over 13 months and remaining closed at six years.
Key Highlights:
- Vertical walls or rolled edges can prevent wound base-to-edge merging, stalling closure.
- Edge trenching excavates a trench at the base-edge interface to connect the two surfaces.
- The technique uses small curettes and repeat debridement visits to create a favorable transitional angle.
- Case outcome: successful healing in a challenging Charcot ulcer case, with long-term stability.
Keywords:
edge trenching,
debridement,
chronic ulcer,
wound bed preparation,
wound edges