Journal of wound care
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Journal of wound care · Jul 2018
Case Reports Multicenter Study Observational StudyUse of a gelling fibre dressing in complex surgical or chronic wounds: a case series.
To evaluate the safety and performance of a gelling fibre dressing, with respect to wound exudate management, maceration and periwound skin conditions. ⋯ These clinical findings suggest the new gelling fibre dressing to be safe and effective in wound treatment of complex (non-healing) surgical or chronic wounds, to manage exudate effectively, and to optimise the conditions of wounds healing by secondary intention.
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Journal of wound care · Jul 2018
Comparative StudyA simple and fast dressing for skin grafts: comparison with traditional techniques.
The split-thickness skin graft (STSG) is commonly used for reconstruction of skin and soft tissue defects. For a successful graft, the thin skin must be in close contact with the recipient bed until the graft stabilises. This study introduces a simple and fast dressing technique, and compares it with the traditional tie-over dressing. ⋯ The simple and fast dressing is easy to apply, is able to be shaped according to the wound surface, and provides a secure dressing over the skin graft.
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Journal of wound care · Jul 2018
Use of a novel chitosan-based dressing on split-thickness skin graft donor sites: a pilot study.
Split-thickness skin graft (STSG) donor site dressings can play an integral role in reducing donor site morbidity. This study tested a novel, chitosan-based wound dressing, Opticell Ag, as an STSG donor site dressing for wounds <10% total body surface area (TBSA). ⋯ The chitosan-based dressing tested in this study is safe, effective, and associated with reasonable pain control and acceptable healing quality. The results suggest that it is a promising STSG donor site dressing.
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Journal of wound care · Jun 2018
Case ReportsNegative pressure wound therapy in reconstructing extensive leg and foot soft tissue loss in a child: a case study.
Open fractures of the leg with large loss of tissue require extensive reconstructive methods that can injure the donor area. The use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) may minimise the impact of these reconstructive methods because of its capacity to create granulation tissue that will form a wound bed for the skin graft, thus reducing the volume of soft tissue defect and saving the donor region. This case study describes the effectiveness of NPWT in the treatment and reconstruction of an open fracture of the leg, with massive loss of soft tissue, associated with elastic intramedullary nailing in a 10-year-old female patient, who was a victim of a car accident. ⋯ NPWT was started, with the dressing changed every five days. After 55 days of using NPWT, granulation tissue covered the soft tissue defect and created a wound bed for the skin graft. NPWT helped the management of this open wound, achieving a wound bed for the skin graft, avoiding the use of complex reconstructive methods.
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Journal of wound care · May 2018
Antibiotic resistance and biofilm tolerance: a combined threat in the treatment of chronic infections.
Since the introduction of antibiotics into human medicine in the 1940's, antibiotic resistance has emerged at an alarming rate and is now a major threat to public health. This problem is amplified by pathogenic bacteria existing most commonly in biofilm form, creating additional bacterial tolerance to antimicrobial agents. Biofilm is now considered to be a primary cause of chronic infection, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria are prevalent in biofilm form. ⋯ This strategy is being considered in several clinical conditions, one of which is chronic non-healing wounds, where antibiotics are used excessively and often indiscriminately. A combination antibiofilm/antimicrobial wound dressing has been shown to facilitate healing in previously biofilm-impaired non-healing wounds. This approach must be considered as part of antibiotic stewardship programmes to reduce the usage and implications of antibiotic therapy, and improve outcomes associated with chronic infections.