There is growing concern regarding the treatment of infection, caused by the rise of antimicrobial resistance. This position document looks at current treatment approaches to identifying and treating biofilm in wounds, focusing on the mechanism of action and role of non-medicated wound dressings (NMWDs) within antimicrobial stewardship practices and evidence that supports their effectiveness … Download
Tag: Infection
Oxygen therapies for wound healing: EWMA findings and recommendations
For wounds to heal, it is essential that macro- and microcirculation is restored in the surrounding tissue (Niinikoski et al, 1991; Gottrup, 2004a). One of the most urgent requirements is oxygen, as it is critically important for the reconstruction of new vessels and connective tissue, and also enables resistance to infection … View PDF
Use of negative pressure wound therapy in a chronic leg wound with
coexisting rheumatoid arthritis: a case study
We present a case of a 69-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis. The patient’s condition was managed with steroid therapy for more than 12 years. She had a coexisting infected chronic ulceration in the left leg, which was treated with negative pressure wound therapy for 52 days. Use of this therapy within the wound reduced exudate and the bacterial count, which dramatically accelerated the process of wound healing.
The introduction of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in the early 1990s resulted in a change in the concept of care and treatment of wounds of various aetiologies in the hospital and outpatient care settings. NPWT is increasingly being used in primary and home health care because of its non-invasiveness, high efficacy, shortening the time of wound healing, and improving wound healing, thereby greatly reducing the need for hospital treatment.1–3 NPWT requires specialized equipment with manual control of negative pressure. Negative pressure is maintained in the wound bed with ready-made sterile sets (sponge, proper dressing, adapter, polyurethane foil). Negative pressure causes wound shrinkage and reduction of the bacterial count by evacuating the effusion into a disposable canister placed on the device.4,5 Although the potential of NPWT … read more
Surgical wound dehiscence: Improving prevention and outcomes
Surgical wound dehiscence (SWD) is almost certainly under-reported, not least because of variation in the interpretation of what constitutes SWD. As a result, patients with SWD may not receive optimal treatment and may experience additional surgical site complications, increased mortality, prolonged hospital stays and readmission. Following a meeting in July 2017, an international panel of clinical experts developed a consensus document to raise awareness of SWD, to aid identification of patients at increased risk and to provide practical guidance in prevention and management. This document has the endorsement of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) and ultimately aims to improve outcomes for patients … read more
The use of Prontosan® in combination with Askina® Calgitrol®
An independent case series
Many patients with chronic wounds will develop infection (Landis et al, 2007; Sibbald et al, 2011). Worldwide consensus on the specific use of silver antimicrobials recommends that silver dressings should be used initially for a ‘two-week challenge’ (Wounds International, 2012). Sixteen different individual case studies were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of a biofilm remover/cleanser in gel form, Prontosan® (B Braun), together with the use of an ionic releasing silver alginate, Askina® Calgitrol® Paste (B Braun) or Askina® Calgitrol® Thin (B Braun), when used on infected wounds. This study was completed in an advanced wound management centre in Pretoria, South Africa, during 2016. Selection criteria included wounds showing clinical signs of infection with delayed healing for more than 2 weeks. The study results showed that 50% of the wounds’ clinical signs of infection resolved within the 2-week antimicrobial challenge and by week 3, 81% of all clinical signs resolved. Ninety-three per cent of the wounds had improved wound progress and healing .. read more
High-above-knee open amputation due to necrotising fasciitis
Necrotising fasciitis is a rare but serious bacterial infection of the soft tissues. It usually affects immunocompromised individuals, and people with diabetes are at particular risk. The lesion often starts as a minor wound and rapidly progresses, becoming life-threatening if not recognised early and treated aggressively. The authors present a severe case of necrotising fasciitis of the right lower limb that led to a high-above-knee amputation with faecal diversion to prevent wound contamination. Split skin grafting was used to close the wound once it had granulated. Faecal diversion can be important in cases where there is inadequate skin cover close to the torso, as stumps can be contaminated with faecal organisms, resulting in sepsis and possibly death.
Reducing infection in chronic leg ulcers with an activated carbon cloth dressing
Chronic wounds are likely to have an increased bioburden, which in turn increases the risk of local infection. Indeed, infection is one of the most frequent complications of non-healing wounds, resulting in longer treatment times, increased risk of morbidity, greater resource use (of both dressings and nurse time) and, most importantly, a high personal cost to patients and their families (Cooper et al, 2014). While the ultimate aim is to treat the underlying wound, use of antimicrobial dressings is the cornerstone of the treatment of infected wounds. Most antimicrobial dressings work by killing the bacteria, and are indicated for use only when there are clear signs of increased bioburden and/or clinical signs of infections. As such, their use is assessed after 2 weeks, at which point it is advised that the clinician switches to another type of dressing if the wound is observed to be healing (Cooper et al, 2014) … read more