Objective To review the research progress of chronic wound debridement. Methods The recent related literature concerning the mechanisms, advantages, limitations, and indications of the technologies of chronic wound debridement was extensively consulted, reviewed, and summarized. Results Debridement is essential for chronic wound healing, which includes autolytic debridement, enzymatic debridement, biodebridement, mechanical debridement, sharp/surgical debridement, ultrasound debridement, hydrosurgery debridement, and coblation debridement. Each technique has its own advantages and disadvantages. Conclusion There are many types of technologies of chronic wound debridement, which can be chosen according to clinical conditions. It is showed there are more significant advantages associated with the technique of coblation debridement relatively, which also has greater potential. Further study is needed to improve its efficacy.
Objective To observe the effect of radiofrequency ablation technology for the treatment of infected wounds in minipigs. Methods Infected wounds of full-thickness skin defects (about 6.15 cm2/wound) were prepared in 8 6-month-old minipigs (weighing, 30-35 kg) using the method of Davis et al. The 160 wounds were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=40). Infected wounds were debrided with the radiofrequency ablation technology in group A, with the electric knife in group B, and with the scalpel in group C; no treatment was done in group D as a control. The healing rate, healing time, and tissue filling rate were observed; bacterial quantitative examination and histological examination were done at 0, 2, 7, and 14 days after operation. Results All infected wounds were successfully established after 48 hours when Staphylococcus aureus dilution were inoculated. The wounds after radiofrequency ablation technology treatment were fresh and flat with slight bleeding; the healing time of group A was significantly shorter than that of groups B, C, and D (P lt; 0.05), and the healing rate of group A was significantly higher than that of groups B, C, and D at 7 and 14 days after operation (P lt; 0.05). The tissue filling rate of group A was significantly higher than that of groups B, C, and D at 2 days after operation (P lt; 0.05); the tissue filling rates of groups A, B, and C were significantly higher than that of group D at 7 and 14 days after operation (P lt; 0.05). At 0, 2, 7, and 14 days, there were significant differences in the bacterial count per gram tissue among 4 groups (P lt; 0.05), the order from low to high was groups A, B, C, and D. The histological observation showed that the surface of wound was smooth in group A at 0 day, and group A was better than the other groups in wound healing; at 2 days, some exudates were observed in 4 groups, but it was least in group A. There was inflammatory cell infiltration in various degrees in 4 groups at 7 and 14 days; it was lightest in group A with thick epithelium and dense collagen bundles, followed by groups B and C, and it was severe in group D. Conclusion The radiofrequency ablation technology can effectively remove the necrotic tissues of infected wounds, remarkably reduce the number of bacteria, improve the healing rate, and shorten the healing time of wounds.
Objective To investigate the cl inical effect of vacuum seal ing drainage (VSD) on late-stage large skin avulsion injury with infection. Methods From May 2007 to August 2008, 9 patients with large-area skin avulsion injury and infection were treated. There were 1 male and 8 females aged 9-52 years old (median 27 years old). All patients suffered from closed skin avulsion injury involving the lower back, buttock, and part of the thigh. The injury area varied from 30 cm × 25 cm to92 cm × 38 cm. The time between injury and hospital admission was 15-23 days. The skin avulsion injury was compl icated with pelvis fracture, urethral injury, anal injury, sacrum exposure, and l imb fractures. The interval between hospital admission and operation was 3-23 hours. Free spl it-thickness skin graft was performed after the focus debridement and three VSD treatments (40-60 kPa). Results After three VSD treatments, no patient had general pyemia and severe local tissue necrosis or infection, the tissue edema in the skin avulsion area was alleviated obviously, and all the wound cavities were closed. All the wounds in the graft site healed after 28-45 days of treatment (average 39 days), and all the donor sites healed. Nine patients were followed up for 4-14 months (average 10 months). The appearance of the reparative area was good, and there was no occurrence of joint dysfunction in the injured area due to scar contracture. Conclusion VSD is effective in treating late-stage large skin avulsion injury with infection.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of plasma-mediated bipolar radiofrequency ablation debridement (Coblation debridement) in treatment with retention of internal fixation for early postoperative infection of fractures of extremities. Methods Between January 2012 and May 2015, 16 patients (12 males and 4 females) with early postoperative infection of internal fixation for extremity fracture were treated, with an average age of 41.6 years (range, 19-61 years). The fractures included tibia and fibula fracture in 5 cases, femoral fractures in 5 cases, distal humeral fractures in 3 cases, ulna and radius fractures in 2 cases, and patellar fracture in 1 case. Two cases were open fractures and 14 cases were closed fractures. All fractures were fixed non-intramedullarily. Postoperative infection occurred at 5-10 days (mean, 7 days) after operation, with bacteria cultured from wound secretion in all cases. Type EIC5872 70 Coblation knife and Coblator Ⅱ plasma surgery system were conducted to debride the foci of infection in ablating pattern with sterile saline used as the conductive fluid and the magnitude of power from 6 to 9. After pulse irrigating with sterile saline, irrigating tube and draining tube were placed beside the fixation. Postoperative continuous irrigation and drainage and systemic antibiotic therapy would be conducted. The effectiveness was evaluated by bone infection effectiveness evaluation criteria. Results All the 16 patients were followed up 12-36 months (mean, 15 months) after operation. All the infected wounds were cured and healed by first intention without recurrence in all the patients, and the fracture healing time was 3-7 months (mean, 4.8 months) without limb dysfunction or nonunion. Internal fixation was removed at 1-2 years after operation in 4 cases, whom with good fracture healing and without recurrence of infection after operation. Conclusion The effectiveness of Coblation debridement in treatment with retention of internal fixation for early postoperative infection of extremity fractures are satisfactory, which can avoid the second stage operation, infectious nonunion, and osteomyelitis.