At this year’s annual conference “EWMA 2013”, held from 15 to 17 May in Copenhagen, the European Wound Management Association (EWMA) published the position paper “EWMA Document: Debridement. An updated overview and clarification of the principle role of debridement”. In this paper, an international team of wound care experts gives a comprehensive and practice-based summary of debridement methods for the first time. When comparing mechanical procedures, the authors rate debridement with Debrisoft® from Lohmann & Rauscher (L&R) as highly promising: “The monofilament fibre pad shows the potential to advance mechanical debridement as a viable technique, by providing a rapid, safe and easy-to-use method with limited pain for the patient.”
For the team that authored the EWMA Document (1) debridement is “a central medical intervention in the management of acute and chronic, non-healing wounds”. Mechanical debridement is the method most frequently used to remove fibrin coatings, dried exudate and debris from the wound. However, the conventional procedure used in mechanical debridement, with gauze dressings for example, has substantial disadvantages. It is comparatively painful and can be time-consuming. The authors come to the conclusion therefore: “The limitations should preclude their use in clinical practice”.
Debrisoft® with effective monofilament fibre technology can be used for virtually painless debridement
Application of the monofilament pad Debrisoft® developed by Lohmann & Rauscher (L&R) is rapid, easy, safe and virtually painless. The pad consists of a tight grouping of soft high-tech polyester fibres which effectively bind wound coatings, debris and any bacteria contained in the latter. (2),(3) Thus wound and surrounding skin are carefully as well as gently cleaned. The authors of the position paper refer to clinical experience which shows that Debrisoft® is suitable for a broad spectrum of wound types – including diabetic, venous and arterial ulcers as well as pressure ulcers and traumatic wounds. According to the EWMA Document, a large number of studies show good results from debridement after just one application of Debrisoft®. For example, in a study involving 60 patients, Debrisoft® proved to be effective in “93.4% of the debridement episodes
(n = 142)”. (4)
Comprehensive therapy solutions for wound management from L&R
Debrisoft® offers a rapid, effective and easy to use alternative to the well-known debridement procedures. As part of the total management of leg ulcer patients, the sequential combined application of Debrisoft® for gentle debridement with moist wound care dressings (Suprasorb®, Vliwasorb®) and with the Rosidal® compression products represents a well-rounded therapy concept for phase appropriate wound care.
References
1) European Wound Management Association (EWMA). Position Document: Debridement. In: Journal of Wound Care, London, 2013.
2) Benbow, M., Using Debrisoft® for wound debridement. J Comm Nurs., 2001: 25:5, 17-18.
3) Hämmerle G., Duelli H., Abel M. et al. The wound debrider: a new monofilament fibre technology. British Journal Nursing (2011) 20:6 (Suppl.), S 35 - S 42.
4) Bahr, S., Mustafi, N., Hättig, P. et al. Clinical efficacy of a new monofilament fibre-containing wound debridement product. Journal of Wound Care (2011) 20(5): 242 - 248.
2972 characters incl. spaces and headings
Reprint free of charge - request a voucher copy