Wound Care and Dressings

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Phases of Healing - Repair Relay Race

  • 0. Hemostasis (Immediate):
    • Vasoconstriction, platelet plug, fibrin clot.
  • 1. Inflammatory Phase (Day 1-6): "Clean-up Crew"
    • Neutrophils (PMNs) (24-48h): clear debris, bacteria.
    • Macrophages (48-96h): phagocytosis, release growth factors (GFs).
  • 2. Proliferative Phase (Day 4 - Wk 3): "Rebuilding Zone"
    • Fibroblasts: Type III collagen. Angiogenesis (granulation tissue).
    • Epithelialization. Myofibroblasts: initiate wound contraction.

    ⭐ Type III collagen (predominant in early granulation tissue) is replaced by Type I collagen for tensile strength.

  • 3. Remodeling Phase (Wk 3 - Months/Years): "Maturation & Strength"
    • Collagen conversion: Type III → Type I.
    • Tensile strength ↑ (max ~80% of original skin).
    • Scar matures and reorganizes. 📌 Mnemonic: Healers Initiate Progress & Remodel (HIPR).

Normal and chronic wound healing phases and processes

Wound Assessment & Types - Spotting Trouble

  • Assessment:
    • History: Mechanism (blunt/sharp), time since injury, contamination level, tetanus status.
    • Exam: Location, size (L x W x D), edges (everted/inverted), base (viable?), exudate (type, amount), odor.
    • Infection signs (local): Redness, warmth, swelling, pain, discharge (pus).
    • Systemic: Fever (>38°C), ↑WBC, tachycardia.
  • Wound Classification (CDC):
    • Class I (Clean): <2% SSI risk. E.g., hernia repair.
    • Class II (Clean-Contaminated): 3-5% SSI risk. E.g., elective GI surgery.
    • Class III (Contaminated): 10-15% SSI risk. E.g., open fracture <4h.
    • Class IV (Dirty/Infected): 20-40% SSI risk. E.g., perforated viscus.

    ⭐ Most surgical site infections (SSIs) manifest between the 5th and 10th postoperative day.

  • Spotting Trouble - TIME Framework (📌 Mnemonic):
    • Tissue: Non-viable or deficient.
    • Infection or Inflammation.
    • Moisture imbalance: Too dry or too wet.
    • Edge of wound: Non-advancing or undermined.

Post-Surgery Signs of Infection

Management Principles - Debride & Defend

  • Goal: Convert contaminated/chronic wound to clean acute wound.
  • Debridement: Removal of necrotic, devitalized tissue, foreign material & bacteria. Promotes healing by reducing inflammation & infection risk.
    • Types: 📌 SAD MEchanical, Surgical (Sharp), Autolytic, Debriding agents (Enzymatic), Maggot (Biosurgical), Electrical (Ultrasonic).
  • Defend (Antimicrobials): Indicated for infected wounds or high-risk clean-contaminated wounds.
    • Topical: Silver sulfadiazine, mupirocin, povidone-iodine (use judiciously).
    • Systemic: Based on culture & sensitivity if signs of spreading infection.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) is contraindicated over exposed blood vessels, nerves, anastomotic sites, organs, or malignancy in the wound. It promotes granulation tissue formation by applying sub-atmospheric pressure (typically -125 mmHg).

Dressings Deep Dive - Material Matters

Choice depends on wound type, exudate, depth, infection. Goal: optimal healing environment.

Types of Wound Dressings

Dressing TypeKey PropertyPrimary Use📌 Mnemonic/Tip
GauzeAbsorbent, permeablePacking, cleaning, cover (dry/wet)"Good old Gauze"
Transparent FilmsSemi-permeable, allows inspectionSuperficial wounds, IV sites, secondary dressing"See-Thru Shield"
FoamsHighly absorbent, cushioningModerate-heavy exudate, pressure ulcers"Fluffy Foam"
HydrocolloidsOcclusive, promotes autolysis, gel-formingLight-moderate exudate, non-infected"Colloid Cloud"
HydrogelsHydrating (high water content), coolingDry, sloughy, necrotic wounds, burns"Gel Quench"
AlginatesHighly absorbent (forms gel), haemostaticHeavy exudate, cavity wounds, bleeding"Algae Absorb"
Silver DressingsAntimicrobial (Ag+)Infected wounds, high-risk wounds"Silver Sentry"
Honey DressingsAntimicrobial, osmotic, debridingInfected, sloughy wounds, burns"Honey Healer"

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Wound healing phases: Inflammatory (0-3d), Proliferative (3d-3wks), Remodeling (3wks-2yrs).
  • Primary intention for clean, approximated wounds; Secondary intention for open wounds, heals by granulation.
  • Tertiary intention (delayed primary closure) for initially contaminated wounds closed later.
  • NPWT (Negative Pressure Wound Therapy) promotes granulation and reduces edema.
  • Alginates for heavy exudate; Hydrocolloids for moderate exudate, autolytic debridement.
  • Wound infection signs: Erythema, warmth, pain, purulent discharge, systemic fever.
  • Optimal healing requires adequate protein, Vitamin C, and Zinc.

Practice Questions: Wound Care and Dressings

Test your understanding with these related questions

The image shows a Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) dressing applied to a patient's wound. What is the ideal negative pressure range commonly used for NPWT to promote wound healing?

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Flashcards: Wound Care and Dressings

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In abdominal compartment syndrome, central venous pressure _____

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

In abdominal compartment syndrome, central venous pressure _____

increases

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