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What Is Debridement

March 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Debridement is defined as the removal of a patient’s dead, damaged, or infected tissue to improve the healing potential of the remaining healthy tissue.

The removal may be achieved by  autolytic (self-digestion), chemical and surgical. Maggot therapy is debridement where certain species of live maggots selectively eat only necrotic tissue.

Debridement is an important part of the healing process for burns and other serious wounds.

Autolytic Debridement

It uses  body’s own enzymes and moisture to re-hydrate, soften and finally liquefy hard eschar and slough.  Autolytic debridement can be achieved with the use of occlusive or semi-occlusive dressings  with hydrocolloids, hydrogels and transparent films. [Read more...]

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What Are Stages of Pressure Ulcers?

June 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

A pressure ulcer is localized injury to the skin and/or underlying tissue usually over a bony prominence, as a result of pressure, or pressure in combination with shear and/or friction.

Stages of  Pressure Ulcer

Stage I

Intact skin with non-blanchable redness of a localized area usually over a bony prominence. Darkly pigmented skin may not have visible blanching; its color may differ from the surrounding area.

The area may be painful, firm, soft, warmer or cooler as compared to adjacent tissue. Stage I may be difficult to detect in individuals with dark skin tones. It may  indicate a person who is at  risk [Read more...]

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General Principles of Tendon Transfer

May 2, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Tendon transfers are used  to replace deficient motor units and to restore function. Functional loss may occur secondary to tendon rupture, peripheral nerve injury, brachial plexopathy, stroke, or other problems.

Tendon ruptures secondary to inflammatory arthritis have been discussed in an earlier section. This section will focus on tendon transfers used in restoring hand and wrist function or balancing deformity.

The functional tendon to be transferred is transected then transferred to another tendon or bone to restore function. The neurovascular supply of the donor unit is preserved, in contrast to a free tendon graft which functions primarily as a spacer or connection. [Read more...]

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