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Case Study
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Ultrasound debridement: a case study Catherine R. Ratliff, PhD, APRN-BC, CWOCN Wound debridement is an essential component to initiate wound healing. In this case study, the participant had several nonsurgical attempts to debride her lateral calf wound, but none were effective. The plastic surgeons were ready to surgically debride her and perform a skin graft. Before taking her for a costly surgery, ultrasound debridement was attempted. Her wound was initially painful during treatment, so a topical agent was used to manage her pain. She was treated with low frequency ultrasound debridement for eight weeks. Her wound initially was observed to have slough and necrotic tissue, but after only three treatments, these were no longer evident. . .Treatment costs versus benefits must be weighed on an individual basis, but ultrasound debridement was demonstrated to be effective and cost containing for this case. Controlling pain during the initial debriding process was also effectively managed with a topical agent. This patient had no evidence of wound healing for six months prior to ultrasound debridement being implemented. In three months, ultrasound therapy was able to reduce the depth, size and pain level of this lateral calf venous stasis ulcer. |
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