Expert consensus on emergency open wound irrigation

Abstract

Wound irrigation is one of the most effective means to prevent open wound infection after injury. Wound irrigation can reduce the risk of wound infection and promote wound healing by removing the cell fragments, surface bacteria, dressings residues, residual foreign body and wound exudates loosely attached to the wound. The effect of wound irrigation mainly depends on the pressure of irrigation, the direction of fluid flow, the type of liquid, temperature and volume/amount of irrigation fluid. In response to the phenomenon that emergency open wounds are not irrigated in a standardized manner in China, the Posttraumatic Special Infections and Biting Injury Study Group of the Trauma Surgeons Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association and the Animal Injury Treatment Branch of China Association for Disaster and Emergency Rescue Medicine organized domestic experts in the fields of emergency department and trauma treatment centers to collect the latest clinical evidence of emergency open wound irrigation, and wrote this consensus with reference to relevant guidelines, consensus and the clinical experience of Chinese experts. The consensus summarized the important factors affecting wound irrigation and put forward 10 recommendations to improve the knowledge and skills of trauma emergency medical personnel in wound irrigation.