Wound-related Symptoms Research Articles

Associations Among Wound-Related Factors Including Biofilm, Wound-Related Symptoms and Systemic Inflammation in Older Adults with Chronic Venous Leg Ulcers.

Objective: The purposes of this observational prospective study were to (1) characterize the wound-related factors (wound area, the presence of biofilm, and total bacteria), wound-related symptoms (fatigue, pain, exudate, itching, and edema or swelling), and systemic inflammation (level of serum C-reactive protein [CRP]), and (2) explore associations between wound-related factors, wound-related symptoms, and systemic inflammation in older individuals with chronic venous leg ulcers (CVLUs) over 8 weeks of wound treatment. Approach: A total of 117 participants who received standardized care (weekly sharp debridement) for chronic venous ulcer were enrolled. We collected clinical data every 2 weeks during the 8 weeks of the study period or until the wound was healed (if healed before 8 weeks). Associations among variables were estimated using a Bayesian approach applied to general linear mixed models. Results: Based on Bayes factor (BF) value, there was extremely strong evidence for the association of biofilm with mean total bacteria (BF >1,000). There was moderate evidence of a direct association between biofilm presence and levels of CRP (BF 4.3) and moderate evidence of direct associations between biofilm and wound-related symptoms, pain and exudate (BF 5.12, 8.49, respectively). Innovation: Wound-related symptoms and the level of systemic CRP were associated with biofilm among patients who were receiving weekly sharp debridement. Symptom severity associated with CVLUs requires assessment and management of wound-related factors and levels of inflammation in addition to symptom assessment. Conclusion: This study is the first to examine associations among biofilm, as wound-related factors, systemic inflammation, wound-related symptoms, and wound healing in clinical settings. Symptom severity, level of systemic CRP, and wound-related factors should be considered as well as assessment of biofilm in CVLU in older individuals with CVLU.

Debridement: Technical Considerations and Treatment Options for the Interprofessional Team

To enhance the learner's chronic wound debridement competence as an interprofessional team member. This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care. After participating in this educational activity, the participant will:1. Differentiate healable, maintenance, and nonhealable wounds to create a holistic debridement treatment plan using the Wound Bed Preparation paradigm.2. Evaluate active debridement options including the potential need for an interprofessional referral or specialized investigations.3. Assess chronic wound debridement options.4. Analyze case studies for appropriate clinical application of debridement modalities.

Managing malignant wounds in patients receiving palliative care.

Malignant wounds are a complication of cancer and usually develop in patients with advanced disease. Physical symptoms associated with these wounds include pain, bleeding, exudate, malodour and pruritus, while patients may also experience various distressing psychosocial effects. The aim for nurses is to manage these physical symptoms and psychosocial effects, thus enhancing quality of life for patients and their families. This article discusses the symptoms and effects associated with malignant wounds, and explains what is involved in a wound assessment. It also outlines strategies that can be used to manage or eliminate wound-related symptoms and enhance patients' quality of life.

Symptoms and Care Satisfaction in Patients Who Underwent Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate of symptoms and care satisfaction in patients who had a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Method: The study population consisted of patients who had a coronary artery bypass graft surgery in a public and a foundation hospital in Istanbul between December 2018 and May 2019 and the study sample 176 patients who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to take part in the study. The study data were collected using the self-report method with the help of a Patient Description Form, the Heart Surgery Symptom Inventory (HSSI) and the Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Care Scale (NSNS). The data were analysed on the SPSS version 22.0 software. The data were analysed using numbers, percentages, minimum and maximum values, means and standard deviations, t-test, variance analysis and Pearson correlation analysis. Results: The patients were found after their CABG surgery to experience pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, lack of appetite, nausea and wound-related symptoms. The most common complaint of the patients after the surgery was sleep problems and the least common wound-related symptoms. The mean HSSI score of the participating patients was 71.22±31.39 and the mean NSNS score 52.87±22.54, which meant that the severity of their post-surgery symptoms and their satisfaction with care were at a moderate level. Post-surgery pain, lack of appetite, nausea and wound-related symptoms were found to have a statistically significant moderate negative correlation with care satisfaction (p

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair TEP versus TAPP

Background: The main mechanism for the development of abdominal wall hernia is the lack of structural integrity in the musculotendine layer. The precise cause of inguinal hernia is unclear, but its causes include pre-formed congenital sac, persistent passive intra-abdominal pressure increase and thin abdominal walls. Objective: The objective of this analysis is to equate laparoscopic hernioplanest findings with pre-peritoneal transabdominal (TAPP) vs Totally Extraperitoneal (TEP) as techniques for inguinal hernia repair. Methods and patients: 50 patients have been included in our sample, split into two categories, 25 for each. Group A; underwent a laparoscopic pre-peritoneal transabdominal (TAPP) mesh repair, group B; underwent a total mesh repair laparoscopic extra-peritoneal (TEP). Patient follow-up was conducted at the Benha University Hospitals out-patient clinic 7 days after release at 3 and 6 months after surgery between August 2019 and August 2020. Results: Both classes have been contrasted in terms of surgical procedure, duration, intraoperative symptoms, early postoperative pain within a week, hospital stay, physical exercise limitation and recurrence and chronic pain occurrence. Conclusion: The interpretation of findings showed that the TEP fix proved in the first few hours to be technically harder as shown by increased operating time and postoperational discomfort. It needs a lengthy learning curve and a committed technical excellence team. However, it is preferable that fewer wound-related symptoms, shorter hospitalisation and a faster return to daily life are involved.

Status quo and research progress of palliative wound care

Palliative wound care introduces the concept of palliative care into the field of wound care, but its development is still in its infancy. This article will review the definition, goals, and implementation strategies of palliative wound care, aiming to provide a basis for effectively managing wound-related symptoms at the end of life, preventing wound deterioration or new wound complications, alleviating patient's suffering, promoting patient's comfort and dignity, and improving their quality of life. Key words: Review; Palliative wound care; Multidisciplinary team; Systemic support; Symptom management; HOPES principle

Wound Infection after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Background: Surgeons are regularly not involved in the post discharge care of patients after uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The purpose of the current study was to document the symptomatic recovery of patients following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, because this has a bearing on the planning of a postoperative care package. Methods: The study was designed as a postoperative telephone questionnaire survey and was carried out prospectively between June2016 and February2017 in King Abdulaziz Hospital, KSA. Results: The study cohort comprised 51 patients who all completed the study. Postoperatively, only 3% of the patients had postoperative nausea/vomiting lasting ≥2 days. Pain was symptomatic in 12% of patients. Port-site wounds were a source of significant symptoms in 69% of the patients. Postoperative reviews by a nurse and primary-care doctor were necessary in 76% and 34% patients, respectively, with a combined average of 3.1 reviews per patient. Less than 4% of patients believed that they would benefit from a surgeon's review 6 weeks after LC. Median time taken to return to routine preoperative activity after surgery was 21 days (IQR, 16 to 33), which was affected by the degree of activity undertaken, wound-related symptoms persisting for ≥3 weeks, planned follow-up clinic appointment, and discharge as an outpatient. Conclusion: Wound-related symptoms are common after LC, require substantial input from the community health service in their management, and may delay return to preoperative routine.

Rapid research and implementation priority setting for wound care uncertainties.

IntroductionPeople with complex wounds are more likely to be elderly, living with multimorbidity and wound related symptoms. A variety of products are available for managing complex wounds and a range of healthcare professionals are involved in wound care, yet there is a lack of good evidence to guide practice and services. These factors create uncertainty for those who deliver and those who manage wound care. Formal priority setting for research and implementation topics is needed to more accurately target the gaps in treatment and services. We solicited practitioner and manager uncertainties in wound care and held a priority setting workshop to facilitate a collaborative approach to prioritising wound care-related uncertainties.MethodsWe recruited healthcare professionals who regularly cared for patients with complex wounds, were wound care specialists or managed wound care services. Participants submitted up to five wound care uncertainties in consultation with their colleagues, via an on-line survey and attended a priority setting workshop. Submitted uncertainties were collated, sorted and categorised according professional group. On the day of the workshop, participants were divided into four groups depending on their profession. Uncertainties submitted by their professional group were viewed, discussed and amended, prior to the first of three individual voting rounds. Participants cast up to ten votes for the uncertainties they judged as being high priority. Continuing in the professional groups, the top 10 uncertainties from each group were displayed, and the process was repeated. Groups were then brought together for a plenary session in which the final priorities were individually scored on a scale of 0–10 by participants. Priorities were ranked and results presented. Nominal group technique was used for generating the final uncertainties, voting and discussions.ResultsThirty-three participants attended the workshop comprising; 10 specialist nurses, 10 district nurses, seven podiatrists and six managers. Participants had been qualified for a mean of 20.7 years with a mean of 16.8 years of wound care experience. One hundred and thirty-nine uncertainties were submitted electronically and a further 20 were identified on the day of the workshop following lively, interactive group discussions. Twenty-five uncertainties from the total of 159 generated made it to the final prioritised list. These included six of the 20 new uncertainties. The uncertainties varied in focus, but could be broadly categorised into three themes: service delivery and organisation, patient centred care and treatment options. Specialist nurses were more likely to vote for service delivery and organisation topics, podiatrists for patient centred topics, district nurses for treatment options and operational leads for a broad range.ConclusionsThis collaborative priority setting project is the first to engage front-line clinicians in prioritising research and implementation topics in wound care. We have shown that it is feasible to conduct topic prioritisation in a short time frame. This project has demonstrated that with careful planning and rigor, important questions that are raised in the course of clinicians’ daily decision making can be translated into meaningful research and implementation initiatives that could make a difference to service delivery and patient care.

Palliative wound care management strategies for palliative patients and their circles of care.

To provide information about palliative wound care management strategies for palliative patients and their circles of care. This continuing education activity is intended for physicians and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care. After participating in this educational activity, the participant should be better able to: 1. Recognize study findings, assessment tools, and non-pharmacologic strategies used for patients with palliative wounds. 2. Summarize pharmacologic and dressing treatment strategies used for wound care management of palliative patients. The principles of palliative wound care should be integrated along the continuum of wound care to address the whole person care needs of palliative patients and their circles of care, which includes members of the patient unit including family, significant others, caregivers, and other healthcare professionals that may be external to the current interprofessional team. Palliative patients often present with chronic debilitating diseases, advanced diseases associated with major organ failure (renal, hepatic, pulmonary, or cardiac), profound dementia, complex psychosocial issues, diminished self-care abilities, and challenging wound-related symptoms. This article introduces key concepts and strategies for palliative wound care that are essential for interprofessional team members to incorporate in clinical practice when caring for palliative patients with wounds and their circles of care.

Palliative Wound Care Management Strategies for Palliative Patients and Their Circles of Care

ABSTRACT The principles of palliative wound care should be integrated alongthe continuum of wound care to address the whole person careneeds of palliative patients and their circles of care, whichincludes members of the patient unit including family, significantothers, caregivers, and other healthcare professionals that maybe external to the current interprofessional team. Palliativepatients often present with chronic debilitating diseases,advanced diseases associated with major organ failure (renal,hepatic, pulmonary, or cardiac), profound dementia, complexpsychosocial issues, diminished self-care abilities, andchallenging wound-related symptoms. This article introduces keyconcepts and strategies for palliative wound care that areessential for interprofessional team members to incorporate inclinical practice when caring for palliative patients with woundsand their circles of care. KEYWORDS: palliative wound care, pain and symptommanagement, skin changes at life’s end, circle of care ADV SKIN WOUND CARE 2015;28:130–40; quiz 141-2.

A patient-reported outcome measure to identify occurrence and distress of post-surgery symptoms of WOMen with vulvAr Neoplasia (WOMAN-PRO) — A cross sectional study

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to describe the (a) symptom experience of women with vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia and vulvar cancer (vulvar neoplasia) during the first week after hospital discharge, and (b) associations between age, type of disease, stage of disease, the extent of surgical treatment and symptom experience. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in eight hospitals in Germany and Switzerland (Clinical Trial ID: NCT01300663). Symptom experience after surgical treatment in women with vulvar neoplasia was measured with our newly developed WOMAN-PRO instrument. Outpatients (n=65) rated 31 items. We used descriptive statistics and regression analysis. ResultsThe average number of symptoms reported per patient was 20.2 (SD 5.77) with a range of 5 to 31 symptoms. The three most prevalent wound-related symptoms were ‘swelling’ (n=56), ‘drainage’ (n=54) and ‘pain’ (n=52). The three most prevalent difficulties in daily life were ‘sitting’ (n=63), ‘wearing clothes’ (n=56) and ‘carrying out my daily activities’ (n=51). ‘Tiredness’ (n=62), ‘insecurity’ (n=54) and ‘feeling that my body has changed’ (n=50) were the three most prevalent psychosocial symptoms/issues. The most distressing symptoms were ‘sitting’ (Mean 2.03, SD 0.88), ‘open spot (e.g. opening of skin or suture)’ (Mean 1.91, SD 0.93), and ‘carrying out my daily activities’ (Mean 1.86, SD 0.87), which were on average reported as ‘quite a bit’ distressing. Negative associations were found between psychosocial symptom experience and age. ConclusionsWOMAN-PRO data showed a high symptom prevalence and distress, call for a comprehensive symptom assessment, and may allow identification of relevant areas in symptom management.

Caring for a loved one with a malignant fungating wound

Caring for a loved one with a malignant fungating wound is very challenging and causes extreme physical and psychological distress. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of carers who care for a loved one with a fungating breast wound. To explore the lived experiences of carers, a methodological framework using Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenology and semi-structured interviews was used. Seven carers were interviewed from January until November 2009. Having to deal with a situation of a loved one with a visible cancer was hard for all the carers. The visibility of the cancer was one of the most shocking aspects to deal with from the perspective of the patient and the carer. The presence of the visible wound and a cancer at an advanced stage contributed to a change in the relationship and extreme suffering for both the patient and the carer. Despite many problems such as wound odour and copious discharge from the wound, which was difficult to control, carers did their best to help their loved one with the wound. Gradually, the wound became the centre of the patient and carer's life, and a great deal of time was spent trying to control the wound symptoms. All carers managed the wound on their own without help and advice from health care practitioners. For all of them, it was a major burden and they felt isolated. This study contributes to an understanding that the care of women and their carers needs strategies that are integrated in palliative wound care that takes a holistic and empathic approach that responds to patients' and carers' psychosocial and emotional needs and a practical need for information to help carers assist in managing the wound-related symptoms.

The unspoken disease: symptom experience in women with vulval neoplasia and surgical treatment: a qualitative study

Women with vulval neoplasia often experience severe post-surgical complications. This study focuses on symptom experience of women during the first 6 months following surgical treatment for vulval neoplasia considering their socio-cultural context. In this qualitative study using a critical hermeneutic approach, narrative interviews were conducted. A purposeful sample of 20 patients was recruited from one Swiss and two German university hospitals. Content analysis was employed to analyse the transcribed interviews considering women's experiences and social perceptions. Narratives showed eight interrelated themes: delayed diagnosis, disclosed disease, disturbed self-image, changed vulva care, experienced wound-related symptoms, evoked emotions, affected interpersonal interactions and feared illness progression. The women experienced a general lack of information pertaining to above themes and all described strategies used to handle their situation, which affected their distress. The communication, assessment and treatment of symptoms were hampered by the society's and the health system's tendency to overlook these symptoms and leave them in the realm of the unspeakable. Health professionals need new strategies to support these women to recognise, assess and evaluate the seriousness of symptoms, and to communicate their symptom experience so that timely medical treatment is sought. This support may minimise potentially preventable complications and symptom-related distress.

Care of chronic wounds in palliative care and end-of-life patients.

The aim of this paper was to provide a literature synthesis on current wound care practices for the management of chronic wounds in palliative care and end-of-life patients, focusing on the control of wound-related symptoms for comfort and improved quality of life. These wounds included pressure ulcers, venous and arterial leg ulcers, diabetic ulcers and fungating malignant wounds. Wound-related symptoms included pain, exudate, malodour, infection, bleeding, dressing comfort and negative psychological and social functioning. Best care wound practices were formulated for each wound type to ease suffering based on the literature review. Although symptom management strategies for comfort may work in tandem with healing interventions, it is important to recognise when efforts towards wound closure may become unrealistic or burdensome for the patient at end of life. Thus, unique aspects of palliative wound care feature clinical indicators for early recognition of delayed healing, quality of life measurement tools related to chronic wounds, and comfort care strategies that align with patient wishes and realistic expectations for wound improvement.

The Toronto Symptom Assessment System for Wounds

To formulate a patient-rated assessment tool that facilitates the measurement of pain and polysymptom distress directly related to all classes of wounds. A prospective observational study derived from a sequential case series of patients with advanced illness was carried out to determine the most common symptoms associated with wounds from 9 distinct classes (malignant, pressure ulcers, iatrogenic, traumatic, diabetic foot ulcers, venous ulcers, arterial ulcers, infections/inflammatory lesions, and ostomies). Ten wound-related symptoms were identified and used to create a patient-scored assessment tool. The Toronto Symptom Assessment System for Wounds (TSAS-W) was then developed and used in a pilot trial during which patients completed TSAS-W at baseline and 7 days later. Five hundred thirty-one patients either presented with wounds at baseline or developed them during the 24-month follow-up period. Patients affected by any type of wound were asked to report on the top 3 symptoms directly attributable to their wounds. The pilot trial of TSAS-W involved 103 wounds afflicting 83 sequential patients. The most prevalent wound-related symptoms included pain, exudation, odor, itching, bleeding, aesthetic concern, swelling, and mass and bulk effects from the wound and associated dressings; 78.6% of the TSAS-W assessments were carried out by the patient alone, 14.6% were carried out by the patient assisted by a caregiver, and 6.8% were carried out entirely by a caregiver. The summation of all 10 TSAS-W parameters, the global wound symptom distress score (GWSDS), resulted in a mean for all wounds of 34.47 at baseline and decreased to a mean of 28.40 at 7 days later. Cosmetic or aesthetic concern and/or distress was associated with the highest mean scores of all symptoms. Malignant wounds and wounds involving the perineum and genitalia were associated with the highest GWSDSs. The TSAS-W is a new tool for systematically assessing the degree of pain and polysymptom distress associated with all classes of wounds. It is modeled after the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System that is widely used and validated in the palliative care arena. TSAS-W is composed of 10 symptom parameters that are individually assessed on 11-point numeric rating scales (0-10). The summation of all of the element symptom scores equates to a GWSDS. It may be used in the clinical setting to guide wound-related pain and polysymptom management. In addition, TSAS-W may be useful as a tool in facilitating clinical audit and future wound care research.

Symptoms Associated with Malignant Wounds: A Prospective Case Series

A significant proportion of cancer patients develop malignant wounds. Malignant wounds are generally nonhealable and are managed with palliative methods. Palliative wound care encompasses the pain and symptom management of such wounds. Sixty-seven of 472 cancer patients from a prospective sequential case series of palliative medicine consultations demonstrated malignant wounds at the time of referral and were studied to determine the most common symptoms and anatomic sites associated with malignant wounds. Data were collected from patients' own reports of up to three wound-related symptoms. Overall, 67.7% of malignant wounds were associated with at least one of the following eight symptoms: pain, mass effect, esthetic distress, exudation, odor, pruritus, bleeding, and crusting; 21.9% of wounds were associated with two or more symptoms; and 11.5% of wounds were associated with three symptoms. The symptom point prevalence was 31.3% for pain, 23.9% for mass effect, 19.4% for esthetic distress, 17.9% for exudation, 11.9% for odor, 6% for pruritus, 6% for bleeding, and 1.5% for crusting. Breast cancer patients had the highest prevalence of malignant wounds (47.1%). The anterior chest wall and breast was the site of 31.2% of wounds. The perineum and genitalia presented with the highest ratio of symptoms per wound (2.2). The results of this study reflect that malignant wounds are associated with a significant symptomatic burden, and reinforces the need for thorough clinical assessment and evaluation of symptoms. Further research is required to define the optimal methods of pain and symptom management for malignant wounds.

A guide to wound managment in palliative care

Wound management in palliative patients is often a very challenging area of care. There are many unique issues that can combine to produce complicated wound management scenarios, including the types of wounds and wound symptoms most commonly affecting palliative care patients, as well as the presence of concurrent disease and associated treatment. Problems exist with the availability of suitable dressings and balancing life expectancy with the goals of wound care. A significant, and possibly under-recognized, issue is the emotional and social distress experienced by these patients, which can be directly attributed to their wound. These problems must all be recognized and addressed in order to manage wounds effectively in this patient population. This article aims to explore these issues and offer advice on the management of wound-related symptoms, with the ultimate goal of improving patients' quality of life.