International wound journal
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Controlled Clinical Trial
The debridement of hard to heal leg ulcers by means of a new device based on Fluidjet technology.
Debridement plays an essential role in the wound-bed preparation of necrotic and sloughy ulcers, being a mandatory step to achieve a well-debrided bed, proceeding towards healing. This study reports our experience with Versajet [Versajet Hydrosurgery System (Smith & Nephew, Hull, UK)], a new device for the debridement of exudating ulcers, based on Fluidjet technology, which excises and aspirates the unwanted tissue by using the Venturi effect. In a 10-month time period, a total of 68 patients, out of a setting of 167 patients, hospitalised as affected by chronic, hard-to-heal leg ulcers, stuck in the inflammatory phase, were treated with Versajet. ⋯ The pain caused by Versajet is well tolerated, especially when set for gentle debridement. If multiple treatments are required, the combined use with moist dressings is synergistic, as the dressings soften the necrotic tissue, thus facilitating the following Versajet debridement. The results indicate that Versajet offers more precision than standard mechanical debridement and, at high settings, offers an alternative to surgical debridement.