Guidance on the use of debriding agents and specialist wound care clinics for difficult to heal surgical wounds
National Institute for Clinical Excellence
Record ID 32001000161
English
Authors' objectives:
To provide guidance on the use of debriding agents and specialist wound care clinics for difficult to heal surgical wounds.
Authors' recommendations:
Guidance 1.1 There is no RCT evidence to support any particular method of debridement for difficult to heal surgical wounds, but less robust studies suggest modern dressings (products thought to promote autolytic wound debridement, including hydrocolloids, hydrogels, polysaccharide beads/paste, foam dressings, and alginate dressings) as well as bio-surgical techniques (sterile maggots) may reduce pain and be more acceptable to patients.
1.2 In the absence of sufficient evidence for or against any particular method of debridement, or for one type of modern dressing over another, the choice of debriding agent for difficult to heal surgical wounds should be based on impact on comfort, odour control and other aspects relevant to patient acceptability, type and location of wound, and total costs. Costs of wound care are very sensitive to the frequency with which dressings are changed - this applies particularly to home wound care requiring a visit by a nurse.
1.3 Although there is no direct evidence to support the provision of specialist wound care services for managing difficult to heal surgical wounds, a structured approach to care (including pre-operative assessments to identify individuals with potential wound healing problems) is required in order to improve overall management of surgical wounds. To support this, enhanced education of health care workers, patients and carers, and sharing of clinical expertise will be required.
Authors' methods:
Systematic review
Details
Project Status:
Completed
URL for project:
http://www.nice.org.uk/cat.asp?c=16583
Year Published:
2001
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
England, United Kingdom
MeSH Terms
- Bandages
- Debridement
- Delivery of Health Care
- Wound Healing
- Wounds and Injuries
Contact
Organisation Name:
National Institute for Clinical Excellence
Contact Address:
MidCity Place, 71 High Holborn, London WC1V 6NA, UK. Tel: +44 020 7067 5800; Fax: +44 020 7067 5801
Contact Name:
nice@nice.nhs.uk
Contact Email:
nice@nice.nhs.uk
Copyright:
National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE)
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