Acute or traumatic wounds
may heal spontaneously without scarring. However, in cases where there is a breakdown
of the epidermal junction resulting in a contused wound, the healing process occurs
in three stages: debridement, granulation and epithelialisation.
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this educational presentation follow link.
Over the last 40 years, the moist wound therapy concept has been a major advance
in wound treatment. Chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers pose particular
treatment challenges, and a moist wound healing environment can contribute significantly
to meeting this challenge. Reduced healing times for diabetic foot ulcers lower
the cost of management and the risk of further complications such as amputation.
Sharmans review article, entitled Moist wound healing: a review of
evidence, application and outcome, explores some of the theories surrounding
the altered mechanism of healing in people with diabetes. Existing and new dressings
that provide a moist wound environment, factors to consider when selecting an
appropriate dressing for diabetic foot wounds, and the importance of evidence-based
medicine in the management of the diabetic foot are discussed.
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Foul-smelling exuding chronic wounds can be devastating for patients and their
families. The constant presence of a putrid odour can cause the patient profound
embarrassment, social isolation and affect personal relationships. Infection is
the primary cause of malodour. Nevertheless, a holistic assessment should be made
that includes both the physical causes and psychological effects. Involving the
patient in this process, and in the generation of a care plan, is more likely
to result in concordance and therefore a positive outcome.
Hack A. Malodorous
wounds - taking the patient's perspective into account. Journal of Wound Care
2003;12:319-21.
In
a study by Bucalo, Eaglestein and Falanga chronic wound exudate was shown to inhibit
the proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts and failed to stimulate the proliferation
of microvascular endothelial cells and keratinocytes. These results allowed them
to conclude that chronic wound exudate from chronic non-healing wounds may inhibit
cellular processes. Furthermore, better results with occlusion may be obtained
should some component of chronic wound exudate be removed. This is perhaps why
many chronic wounds in which wound fluid is trapped against the wound bed by more
traditional dressings fail to heal or
heal slowly.
Bucalo B, Eaglestein
WH, Falanga V. Inhibition of cell proliferation by chronic wound fluid. Wound
Rep Reg 1993;1:181-186
This educational presentation discusses the differences between neuropathic, neuroischaemic
and ischaemic diabetic foot disease, their complications and the treatment options.
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