2005 Symposium on Advanced Wound Care | |
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Case Study
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Surgical wounds discharged with a new antimicrobial dressing Thierry Dugre, MD, Centre Hospitalier Camille Guérin, Chattellerault, France Healing open surgical wounds by secondary intent poses special challenges to avoid infection manage exudate, allow fast aesthetic scar formation and avoid pain during dressing changes. Traditional gauze dressings can dry these wounds out and adhere to newly formed tissue. Combination film and gauze products provide an occlusive cover, but fluid management limitations of the gauze component can lead to wound healing delays and problems. Advanced materials such as those produced from Hydrofiber® technology provide superior fluid management with less tissue adherence than is experienced with traditional products. A dressing (HS)* comprised of Hydrofiber®* technology and 1.2% ionic silver sustains broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity in the dressing and wound interface, while maintaining a moist wound environment that supports healing, provides patient comfort and limits costly dressing changes. Regimens including HS and composite† dressings were applied during a two-week period with weekly clinical evaluations of healing, comfort and exudate management in one clinical case each of pilonidal cyst, axillary hydro-adenitis and dorsal abscess. HS regimens were effective in managing different types of open surgical wounds: two at high risk of infection and one infected. Protocols of care including HS dressings offer effective options in managing a variety of open surgical wounds. *AQUACEL® Ag with Hydrofiber® and † CombiDERM® ConvaTec, Princeton, NJ, USA. AQUACEL, Hydrofiber and CombiDERM are registered trademarks of E. R. Squibb & Sons, L. L. C. |
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