Standard Wound Dressing Research Articles

Prophylactic Negative Pressure Dressing Use in Closed Laparotomy Wounds Following Abdominal Operations: A Randomized, Controlled, Open-label Trial: The P.I.C.O. Trial.

A randomized controlled trial was undertaken to investigate the effect of prophylactic negative pressure dressings on postoperative surgical site infection (SSI) rates in closed laparotomy wounds. Laparotomy wounds are associated with high rates of SSI. The effect of prophylactic negative pressure dressing of closed incisional wounds on SSI rate is unknown. A randomized, controlled, open-label trial was conducted (clinicaltrials.gov registration number NCT02780453). Fifty patients undergoing open abdominal surgery were included, with 25 patients randomized to the negative pressure dressing group and 25 to the standard dressing group. The primary endpoint was SSI incidence at 30 days postoperatively. Secondary endpoints included SSI incidence at 4 days, length of stay, cosmetic outcome, and patient satisfaction. Statistical analysis was performed on a per-protocol basis using SPSS version 23.0. The incidence of SSI at 30 days postoperatively was significantly reduced in the treatment group compared with the control group [8.3% vs 32.0%, P = 0.043 (1-sided), P = 0.074 (2-sided)]. There was no difference in SSIs at 4 days postoperatively [4.1% vs 8.0%, P = 0.516 (1-sided), P = 1.0 (2-sided)]. Analysis of predictors of wound infection identified standard wound dressings as the only significant predictor of SSI development. Length of stay was significantly reduced in the negative pressure dressing group [6.1 vs 14.7 days, P = 0.019 (2-sided)]. Cosmetic outcome and patient satisfaction did not show any difference between the 2 groups. Prophylactic use of negative pressure dressings for closed laparotomy wounds significantly reduces the incidence of SSI at 30 days postoperatively.

Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy: A Comprehensive Review of the Evidence.

Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and its variations are an established adjunctive modality for the treatment of wounds. Since its introduction, there have been an increasing number of publications with periods of rapid increases in the number of publications after innovations to the technology. Its application in different wound types and varying clinical scenarios has also contributed to the growing number of publications. A comprehensive literature review (1998-2016) was performed using key words most relevant to NPWT using PubMed/Medline and OVID. Eligibility criteria included higher level evidence studies. One thousand three hundred and forty-seven publications were identified. A total of 26 publications are included in this review: 16 comparing NPWT with standard wound dressing, 6 comparing variations of NPWT, and 4 for NPWT with instillation. The level of evidence, wound type studied, reported outcomes and impact, and key findings are tabulated and discussed. The number of publications has grown significantly since the inception of NPWT. In part, this reflects the variations of NPWT that have developed. However, a greater number of robust, randomized, prospective studies are needed to support its wide spread use.

Clinical investigation of biofilm in non-healing wounds by high resolution microscopy techniques

The aim of this study was to analyse wound biofilm from a clinical perspective. Research has shown that biofilm is the preferred microbial phenotype in health and disease and is present in a majority of chronic wounds. Biofilm has been linked to chronic wound inflammation, impairment in granulation tissue and epithelial migration, yet there lacks the ability to confirm the clinical presence of biofilm. This study links the clinical setting with microscopic laboratory confirmation of the presence of biofilm in carefully selected wound debridement samples. Human wound debridement samples were collected from adult patients with chronic non-healing wounds who presented at the wound care centre. Sample choice was guided by an algorithm that was developed based on what is known about the characteristics of wound biofilm. The samples were then evaluated by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy for the presence of biofilm. Details about subject history and treatment were recorded. Adherence to biofilm-based wound care (BBWC) strategies was inconsistent. Other standard antimicrobial dressings were used and no modern antiseptic wound dressings with the addition of proven antibiofilm agents were available for use. Of the patients recruited, 75% of the macroscopic samples contained biofilm despite the prior use of modern antiseptic wound dressings and in some cases, systemic antibiotics. Wounds found to contain biofilm were not all acutely infected but biofilm was present when infection was noted. The clinical histories associated with positive samples were consistent with ideas presented in the algorithm used to guide sample selection. Visual cues can be used by the clinician to guide suspicion of the presence of wound biofilm. This suspicion can be further enhanced with the use of a clinical algorithm. Standard antiseptic wound dressings used in this study demonstrated limited antibiofilm efficacy. This study also highlighted a need for the clinical team to focus on expiration of dressing action and consistent practice of BBWC strategies which includes the use of proven antibiofilm agents.

Difficult-to-heal wounds of mixed arterial/venous and venous etiology: a cost-effectiveness analysis of extracellular matrix.

ImportanceDifficult-to-heal wounds pose clinical and economic challenges, and cost-effective treatment options are needed.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to determine the cost-effectiveness of extracellular matrix (ECM) relative to standard of care (SC) on wound closure for the treatment of mixed arterial/venous (A/V) or venous leg ulcers (VLUs).Design, setting, and participantsA two-stage Markov model was used to predict the expected costs and outcomes of wound closure for ECM and SC. Outcome data used in the analysis were taken from an 8-week randomized clinical trial that directly compared ECM and SC. Patients were followed up for an additional 6 months to assess wound closure. Forty-eight patients completed the study; 25 for ECM and 23 for SC. SC was defined as a standard moist wound dressing. Transition probabilities for the Markov states were estimated from the clinical trial.Main outcomes and measuresThe economic outcome of interest was direct cost per closed-wound week. Resource utilization was based on the treatment regimen used in the clinical trial. Costs were derived from standard cost references. The payer’s perspective was taken.ResultsECM-treated wounds closed, on average, after 5.4 weeks of treatment, compared with 8.3 weeks for SC wounds (P=0.02). Furthermore, complete wound closure was significantly higher in patients treated with ECM (P<0.05), with 20 wounds closed in the ECM group (80%) and 15 wounds closed in the SC group (65%). After 8 months, patients treated with ECM had substantially higher closed-wound weeks compared with SC (26.0 weeks versus 22.0 weeks, respectively). Expected direct costs per patient were $2,527 for ECM and $2,540 for SC (a cost savings of $13).Conclusion and relevanceECM yielded better clinical outcomes at a slightly lower cost in patients with mixed A/V and VLUs. ECM is an effective treatment for wound healing and should be considered for use in the management of mixed A/V and VLUs.

Pressure ulcer management in paraplegic patients with a novel negative pressure device: a randomised controlled trial.

A randomised controlled trial to compare negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) using our innovative negative pressure device (NPD) and the standard pressure ulcer (PU) wound dressing of in traumatic paraplegia patients. This study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India. Traumatic paraplegia patients with sacral pressure ulcers of stage 3 and 4 were randomised into two groups, receiving either standard wound dressings or NPWT with NPD. The outcomes monitored were length, width (surface area), depth of PU, exudates, discharge, tissue type (necrotic, slough and red granulating tissue), and cost-effectiveness during 0 to 9 weeks follow-up. Length and width were significantly (p<0.01) decreased in NPWT group as compared with standard care group at week 9. At weeks 1, 2 and 3, depth was significantly (p<0.05) higher in NPWT group, whereas at week 9 a significant reduction (p=0.01) was observed. Exudates were significantly (p=0.001) lower in NPWT group at weeks 4 and 9. Conversion of slough into red granulation tissue was significantly higher in NPWT group (p=0.001). Discharge became significantly (p=0.001) lower in NPWT at week 2 and no discharge was observed after week 6. In all parameters, decrease was larger in NPWT group compared with standard care, which was significant for exudates type (p=0.03) and tissue type (p=0.004). Our NPD is better than standard wound care procedures and cost-effective for management of PU.

Incisional Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection after Vascular Surgery with Inguinal Incisions: Rationale and Design of a Randomized Controlled Trial (INVIPS-Trial)

Background/Aims: Inguinal incisions are a common route of access in vascular surgery. Due to anatomical challenges and a diverse bacterial flora in this area, surgical site infections (SSI) represent a common, debilitating and sometimes life-threatening complication. The INVIPS-Trial evaluates the role of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) on closed inguinal incisions in elective vascular surgery to prevent SSI and other wound complications. Methods: This randomized controlled trial (RCT) registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT01913132) compares the effects of a NPWT dressing (PICO, Smith & Nephew, UK) and the center’s standard wound dressing (Vitri Pad, ViTri Medical, Sweden) on postoperative wound complications, especially SSI. The study includes two distinct vascular procedures with different SSI risk profiles: endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) and open surgical approaches involving the common femoral artery (OPEN). Results: Four hundred ninety-five groin incisions in both treatment arms are anticipated to be included in the EVAR group and 147 inguinal incisions in both treatment arms in the OPEN group. Since a large percentage of inguinal vascular procedures in both groups but especially in the EVAR group are performed bilaterally, many patients can serve as their own control by randomly receiving NPWT on one and the standard dressing on the contralateral inguinal incision. Conclusions: This ongoing RCT attempts to elucidate the potential benefit of NPWT on closed inguinal incisions after different vascular procedures. Outcome and conclusions of this trial could have implications on postoperative wound care of patients in both vascular surgery and other surgical specialties.

Incisional negative pressure wound therapy after hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fractures - reduction of wound complications.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of incisional negative pressure wound therapy (iNPWT) in wound healing after femoral neck fracture (FNF) treated with hip hemiarthroplasty (HA) and its influence on postoperative seromas, wound secretion, as well as time and material consumption for dressing changes. The study is a prospective randomised evaluation of iNPWT in patients with large surgical wounds after FNF. Patients were randomised either to be treated by iNPWT (group A) or a standard wound dressing (group B). Follow-up included ultrasound measurements of seroma volumes on postoperative days 5 and 10, duration of wound secretion, and time and material spent for wound dressing changes. For comparison of the means, we used the t-test for independent samples, P > 0·05 was considered significant. There were 21 patients randomised in this study. Group A (11 patients, 81·6 ± 5·2 years of age) developed a seroma of 0·257 ± 0·75 cm(3) after 5 days and had a secretion of 0·9 ± 1·0 days, and the total time for dressing changes was 14·8 ± 3·9 minutes, whereas group B (ten patients, 82·6 ± 8·6 years of age) developed a seroma of 3·995 ± 5·01 cm(3) after 5 days and had a secretion of 4·3 ± 2·45 days, and the total time for dressing changes was 42·9 ± 11·0 minutes. All mentioned differences were significant. iNPWT has been used on many different types of traumatic and non-traumatic wounds. This prospective, randomised study has demonstrated decreased development of postoperative seromas, reduction of total wound secretion days and reduction of needed time for dressing changes.

Novel wound management system reduction of surgical site morbidity after ventral hernia repairs: a critical analysis

BackgroundProphylactic incisional negative-pressure wound therapy use after ventral hernia repairs (VHRs) remains controversial. We assessed the impact of a modified negative-pressure wound therapy system (hybrid-VAC or HVAC) on outcomes of open VHR. MethodsA 5-year retrospective analysis of all VHRs performed by a single surgeon at a single institution compared outcomes after HVAC versus standard wound dressings. Multivariable logistic regression compared surgical site infections, surgical site occurrences, morbidity, and reoperation rates. ResultsWe evaluated 199 patients (115 HVAC vs 84 standard wound dressing patients). Mean follow-up was 9 months. The HVAC cohort had lower surgical site infections (9% vs 32%, P < .001) and surgical site occurrences (17% vs 42%, P = .001) rates. Rates of major morbidity (19% vs 31%, P = .04) and 90-day reoperation (5% vs 14%, P = .02) were lower in the HVAC cohort. ConclusionsThe HVAC system is associated with optimized outcomes following open VHR. Prospective studies should validate these findings and define the economic implications of this intervention.

PIN44 - Cost-Effectiveness Of Small Intestinal Submucosa Extracellular Matrix On Wound Closure In Patients With Difficult-To-Heal Wound Of Mixed Arterial/Venous And Venous Etiology

Determine the cost-effectiveness of small intestinal submucosa extracellular matrix (SISEM) relative to standard of care (SC) on wound closure for the treatment of mixed arterial/venous (A/V) or venous (VLUs) leg ulcers. A 2-stage Markov model was used to predict the expected costs and outcomes of wound closure for SISEM and SC. Outcome data used in the analysis were taken from an 8-week randomized clinical trial that directly compared SISEM and SC. Patients were followed for 6 months to assess wound closure. Forty-eight patients completed the study; 25 for SISEM and 23 for SC. SC was defined as a standard moist wound dressing. Transition probabilities for the Markov states were estimated from the clinical trial. The economic outcome of interest was direct cost per ulcer-free week. Resource utilization was based on the treatment regimen used in the clinical trial. Costs were derived from standard cost references. The payer’s perspective was taken. SISEM-treated wounds healed, on average, after 5.4 weeks of treatment, compared to 8.3 weeks for SC wounds (p=0.02). Furthermore, complete wound closure was significantly higher for patients treated with SISEM (p<0.05), with 20 wounds closed in the SISEM group (80%) and 15 wounds closed in the SC group (65%). After 6 months, patients treated with SISEM had substantially higher ulcer-free weeks compared to SC (20.0 versus 16.8, respectively). Expected direct costs per patient were $2,360 for SISEM and $1,326 for SC. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for SISEM was $349 (approximately $50/day), indicating that for each $349 paid for SISEM therapy patients gained one additional ulcer-free week. SISEM yielded better outcomes at a slightly higher cost in patients with mixed A/V and VLUs. SISEM is an effective treatment for wound healing and should be considered for use in the management of mixed A/V and VLUs.

Negative Pressure Therapy for High-Risk Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Incisions

A high rate of surgical site infection (SSI) accompanies the repair of large ventral hernias in the presence of bacterial contamination. Recent clinical and laboratory studies suggest that negative-pressure therapy (NPT) applied to closed surgical incisions may reduce the risk of SSI in high-risk populations. We hypothesized that NPT would reduce the risk of SSI in patients undergoing the repair of contaminated ventral hernias. We reviewed retrospectively our prospectively collected database for patients undergoing repair of potentially contaminated and infected ventral hernias with or without NPT. All of the patients had primary wound closure. In the NPT group, a vacuum dressing was applied over the closed midline wound. The primary outcome measure was SSI at 30 d post-operatively. We evaluated 119 patients (70 with a standard wound dressing (SWD) and 49 with NPT). The groups were similar in age, gender, body mass index (BMI), the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes mellitus (DM), and smoking; and the number of prior abdominal operations. The SWD group had a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score than did the NPT group (3.0 vs. 2.8; p=0.01). The two groups were similar in the sizes of their hernia defects and duration of surgery, and did not differ in their 30-d rates of SSI (25.8% SWD vs. 20.4% NPT; p=0.50) or in the distribution of major and minor SSIs (SWD: 6 major, 12 minor vs. NPT: 2 major, 8 minor; p=0.56). Factors associated with an increased risk of SSI included ASA score (p=0.02), BMI (p=0.05), defect area (p<0.01), DM (p=0.01), and duration of surgery, (p<0.01). This retrospective, non-randomized study found that NPT in the setting of a closed surgical incision after potentially contaminated or infected ventral hernia repair (VHR) did not reduce the incidence of SSI. Although prophylactic NPT has reduced wound morbidity in some surgical populations, it does not appear to offer the same reduction in wound morbidity in high-risk, contaminated, and potentially contaminated open VHR.

Effects of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy on Healing of Open Wounds in Dogs

To compare the effect of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with standard-of-care management on healing of acute open wounds in dogs. Prospective, controlled, experimental study. Adult dogs (n=10). Full-thickness 4 m × 2 m wounds were surgically created on each antebrachium and in each dog were randomized to receive either NPWT or standard wound dressings (CON) for 21 days. Dressing changes and wound evaluations were made at 8 time points. First appearance of granulation tissue, smoothness of granulation tissue, exuberance, percent epithelialization, and percent contraction were compared. Biopsies for histopathology were taken, and histologic scores determined, at 5 time points, and aerobic bacterial wound cultures performed at 2 time points. Granulation tissue appeared significantly earlier, and was smoother and less exuberant in NPWT wounds compared with CON wounds. Percent contraction in NPWT wounds was less than CON wounds after Day 7. Percent epithelialization in NPWT wounds was less than CON wounds on Days 11, 16, 18, and 21. Histologic scores for acute inflammation were higher in NPWT on Day 3, and lower on Day 7, than CON wounds. Bacterial load was higher in NPWT on Day 7. NPWT accelerated appearance of smooth, nonexuberant granulation tissue; however, prolonged use of NPWT impaired wound contraction and epithelialization.

Analysis of the SNaP™ Wound Care System, a Negative Pressure Wound Device for Treatment of Diabetic Lower Extremity Wounds

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has become a widely used modality for the treatment of complex wounds. However, patient compliance is frequently difficult due to the need to carry a bulky, noisy electronic device. In this issue of Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, Lerman and colleagues describe a new system that uses no electricity and is about the size of a deck of cards. It is designed to be stored in the clinic and applied almost as simply as a standard wound dressing. Four cases are reviewed to demonstrate that the device is efficacious and helps to encourage patient compliance. No statistically significant outcomes are presented. By removing compliance barriers, this device may encourage more frequent NPWT applications for small wounds.

Wound Therapy Linked With Complications

Robert Finn is with the Los Angeles bureau of Elsevier Global Medical News. The Food and Drug Administration has warned health care providers and patients to be vigilant for potentially life-threatening complications with the use of negative-pressure wound-therapy devices. The agency issued the official notification late last year after receiving reports of 6 deaths and 77 injuries associated with the devices. “Most of the deaths reported to FDA occurred at home or in a long-term care facility,” the notice stated. Bleeding was the most serious complication and involved in all the deaths and 17 of the injuries, said the FDA, but infection played a role in 27 reports. The infections arose from the original open wound or dressing pieces retained in the wound. Overall, 32 of the injuries involved retention of foam dressing pieces. Most of those patients required surgical procedures, wound debridement, and treatment of wound dehiscence as well as additional hospitalization and antibiotic therapy. The FDA's notification included a list of wound types and conditions for which negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is contraindicated. The agency also provided a list of risk factors that health care providers should consider before using NPWT (see sidebar). “In the appropriate wounds and in the appropriate areas,” NPWT is still useful, Paul Y. Takahashi, MD, CMD, of the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minn.) said in an interview. “But I think we have to be pretty cautious. It's still an FDA-approved device,” he said. “It still can help, particularly with preventing amputations. It can help in some situations in which a flap or a skin graft is not appropriate. And it certainly can still be beneficial for wounds that are not healing. But I think you really have to be well trained in using the negative pressure device, and when you remove it … make sure it's well observed, make sure things are healing in nicely and that you're not having excess bleeding.” One issue is that complications can go unnoticed in NPWT-treated wounds, Dr. Takahashi said. Unlike standard wound dressings, NPWT's may not be changed for 3 or 4 days, masking any problem. Staff and patients should be alert for certain problem signs, Dr. Takahashi said. The edges of the wound should maintain a nice pink color. It's time to become concerned when the edges start turning red or the area becomes painful. Other concerning symptoms include fevers, chills, and changes in blood pressure. “There is nothing really surprising here if you know the literature,” commented David Thomas, MD, CMD, a professor of geriatric medicine at Saint Louis University. “It is important to understand that NPWT is a medical device, which only has to be approved by the FDA for safety and not for effectiveness as required for drugs.” Dr. Thomas noted that NPWT, which is expensive, has been widely adopted with very little clinical trial data on effectiveness or adverse outcomes. “Based on current literature reviews, it is not superior to other wound therapy choices,” he said. “We need well-designed clinical trials to determine the proper place for NPWT.” The full text of the FDA's notification is at www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/PublicHealthNotifications/ucm190658.htm. ▸ Necrotic tissue with eschar present. ▸ Untreated osteomyelitis. ▸ Nonenteric and unexplored fistulas. ▸ Malignancy in the wound. ▸ Exposed vasculature. ▸ Exposed nerves. ▸ Exposed anastomotic site. ▸ Exposed organs. Source: Food and Drug Administration

Curación asistida por presión negativa comparada con curación convencional en el tratamiento del pie diabético amputado. Ensayo clínico aleatorio

Introduction Foot amputation wounds in patients with diabetes are complex and treatment is often difficult. At the moment negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is widely used for the treatment of several types of wounds. Nevertheless, the clinical evidence to support the application of this dressing in foot amputation wounds in patients with diabetes is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of NPWT compared with standard wound dressing to treat diabetic foot amputation wounds. Patients and method Randomised controlled trial. Diabetic patients aged 18 years or older with a foot amputation wound were assigned to treatment with NPWT (A group) or standard wound dressing (B group). Primary efficacy end point was time in reaching 90% of wound granulation. A size of sample of 11 patients per group was used. NPWT was prepared with a polyurethane ether foam dressing, a Nelaton catheter, a transparent adhesive drape and continuous negative pressure of 100 mmHg. The wound was treated every 48–72 h and evaluated weekly. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used. Results There were 24 patients, with a mean age of 61.8±9 years (79% men), 12 in each group. The average time to reach 90% of granulation was lower in A group (18.8±6 days versus 32.3±13.7 days), a statistically significant difference ( P=0.007). Conclusion NPWT reduces the granulation time of diabetic foot amputation wounds by 40%, compared with the standard wound dressing.

An analysis of systematic reviews undertaken on standard advanced wound dressings in the last 10 years

Many systematic reviews have found insufficient evidence to support claims that modern dressings promote healing, or that one particular modern dressing is more effective than another. This paper evaluates why this might be the case.

Assessing the safety and compatibility of silver based wound dressings in a magnetic resonance environment

Introduction Silver dressings are an integral part of the management of burn patients. Package inserts assert a lack of compatibility and safety with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and recommend removal prior to any MRI procedure, although there is no clear evidence to support this recommendation. Dressing removal is associated with increased pain, anxiety, stress, and analgesia use. This study was to determine whether these products produce MRI image distortion or if the agitation of the silver particles generates enough heat which might produce further skin damage. Methods Hind limbs from euthanized pigs were used in a 7 T MRI scanner with three standard silver wound dressings. Images were obtained with both dry and wet dressings. Temperature was assessed before and during MRI by probes inserted between the dressing and skin. Images were independently reviewed by a radiologist and MR physicist for distortion. Results None of the dressings exhibited significant temperature increases nor produced significant distortion that influenced imaging quality. Conclusion Our data suggests silver containing wound dressings do not cause a significant increase in dressing temperature or image distortion and thus their removal is not warranted for clinical MRI examinations.

Negative-pressure wound therapy versus standard wound dressing in the treatment of diabetic foot amputation. A randomised controlled trial

IntroductionFoot amputation wounds in patients with diabetes are complex and treatment is often difficult. At the moment negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is widely used for the treatment of several types of wounds. Nevertheless, the clinical evidence to support the application of this dressing in foot amputation wounds in patients with diabetes is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of NPWT compared with standard wound dressing to treat diabetic foot amputation wounds. Patients and methodRandomised controlled trial. Diabetic patients aged 18 years or older with a foot amputation wound were assigned to treatment with NPWT (A group) or standard wound dressing (B group). Primary efficacy end point was time in reaching 90% of wound granulation. A size of sample of 11 patients per group was used. NPWT was prepared with a polyurethane ether foam dressing, a Nelaton catheter, a transparent adhesive drape and continuous negative pressure of 100mm Hg. The wound was treated every 48–72 hours and evaluated weekly. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used. ResultsThere were 24 patients, with a mean age of 61.8 (9) years (79% men), 12 in each group. The average time to reach 90% of granulation was lower in A group (18.8 [6] days vs 32.3 [13.7] days), a statistically significant difference (P=.007). ConclusionNPWT reduces the granulation time of diabetic foot amputation wounds by 40%, compared with the standard wound dressing.

Häufigkeit von Wundinfektionen bei Verwendung eines Glycogelverbandes nach PEG-Anlage: Ergebnisse einer kontrollierten Studie

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the method of choice for long- term artificial enteral feeding. Standardized wound management such as daily dressing changes and local disinfection of the exit site helps to keep complication rates low. New bacteriostatic glycogel wound dressing has not yet been tested. We compared glycogel dressing to the usual method of wound aftercare with regard to wound infections. The standard wound management was compared to glycogel dressing. 100 consecutive patients were investigated in a prospective randomized trial from Aug. 2004 to Jan. 2006 regarding wound infections. We also compared indications for PEG placement, complications other than wound infection, and mortality. The exit site was examined and scored daily using a specific wound scoring system. After 30 days, the patients were followed up by phone calls to determine if any infection had occurred after discharge. During our study, 98 out of 100 patients had a successful PEG procedure performed. Out of these 98 patients, 48 patients received standard wound dressing care and 50 patients used glycogel dressing. The indications for PEG placement were not significantly different between the two groups. A total of 88% of patients (n = 42) with standard wound care had no relevant infection (50%, n = 24 with score 0 or 1; 38%, n = 18 had score 2), 10% (n = 5) presented with serious local infection (score 3) and one patient (2%) had severe infection necessitating PEG removal (score 4). In the group using glycogel dressing, 88% of the patients (n = 44) did not show any relevant sign of infection (54%, n = 27 with score 0 or 1; 34%, n = 17 had score 2), 8% (n = 4) had serious local infection (score 3), 2% (n = 1) had severe infection (score 4) and 2% (n = 1) were lost to follow up. Regarding wound infection rates after PEG placement, glycogel wound dressing was found to be as effective as standard wound dressing. Thus, omitting daily changes of regular wound dressings by using glycogel dressing instead may be advantageous for patients and generally help to decrease overall cost.

The effects of polarized light therapy in pressure ulcer healing

Neglecting polarized light as an adjuvant therapy for pressure ulcers and methodology distinctions in the trials engaging polarized light are the reasons for many dilemmas and contradictions. The aim of this study was to establish the effects of polarized light therapy in pressure ulcer healing. This prospective randomized single-blind study involved 40 patients with stage I-III of pressure ulcer. The patients in the experimental group (E) were subjected, besides polarized light therapy, to standard wound cleaning and dressing. Standard wound cleaning and dressing were the only treatment used in the control group (C). A polarized light source was a Bioptron lamp. Polarized light therapy was applied for six min daily, five times a week, four weeks. The Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) was used in the assessment of outcome. Statistic analysis included Mann Whitney Test, Fisher Exact Test, Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. There were significant differences between the groups at the end of the treatment regarding the surface of pressure ulcer (E: 10.80 +/- 19.18; C: 22,97 +/- 25,47; p = 0.0005), rank of pressure ulcer (E: 5.90 +/- 2.48; C: 8.6 +/- 1.05; p = 0.0005) and total PUSH score (E: 7.35 +/- 3.17; C: 11.85 +/- 2.35; p = 0,0003). The patients in the experimental group had significantly better values of the parameters monitored than the patients in the control group. After a four-week polarized light therapy 20 patients with stage I-III ulcer had significant improvement in pressure ulcer healing, so it could be useful to apply polarized light in the treatment of pressure ulcers.

The Role of Topical Traditional Chinese Medicaments as Contact Sensitisers in Chronic Venous Leg Ulcer Patients

Leg ulcers are a chronic condition affecting the older population. In Singapore, the use of topical traditional Chinese medicaments (TTCM) is common amongst those older than 65 years of age. We study the role of TTCM as contact sensitisers in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers and its impact in the clinical management of these patients. Patients with chronic leg ulcers attending the Wound and Ulcer Clinic at the National Skin Centre (NSC) between October 2005 and April 2006 were patch-tested to the NSC TTCM series. They were also patch-tested for other allergens from the NSC Standard Series, Medicament Series, Steroid Series and wound dressings. A total of 44 patients were patch-tested. Seventeen of the 44 (38.7%) patients were using or had used at least 1 TTCM. Seven patients (15.9%) had at least 1 positive patch test (PT) reading to TTCM, giving a sensitisation rate of 41% (7 of 17). A significantly high proportion of the patients, 94.1% (16 of 17) with a positive history of TTCM usage had at least 1 positive PT reading compared to those without a history of TTCM usage, 45.8% (11 of 24). TTCM play an important role as contact sensitisers in our patients with chronic venous leg ulcers and may be a significant factor in non- or poor-healing leg ulcers. In such patients, a history of TTCM usage should be sought for and patch testing should include the commonly used TTCM where relevant.