The role of debridement in wound bed preparation in chronic wound: A narrative review

Objective

To provide an overview of the types of wound debridement and update the available scientific consensus on the effect of wound debridement.

Methods

The articles were searched through CINAHL, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Medline database for relevant articles on all types of wound debridement. Articles included were all systematic review on the effectiveness of wound debridement-related outcome, published within the year 2017 until Aug 2021, in English.

Results

A total of seven scientific articles had been selected for review out of 318 screened. The authors reviewed a total of 318 titles and abstracts related to wound debridement effectiveness. Seven articles that were selected were narratively reviewed by two authors. The findings of the review were organized into autolytic, enzymatic, sharp, surgical, biological, and mechanical debridement methods and includes the advantages and disadvantages of each. The author further explored on the role of wound debridement according to wound bed preparation model. Articles were synthesized and organized based on the authors, year, total studies included in the systematic review, study range of year, total sample, debridement method, wound types, and findings.

Conclusion

Maggot debridement therapy showed a consistent finding in terms of effectiveness in debriding chronic wounds. The newer debridement method includes hydro-surgery, low-frequency ultrasonic and enzymatic collagenase debridement were getting more attention due to faster wound bed preparation and less painful. However, these newer method of debridements showed inconclusive findings and the patient safety was not clearly defined. A higher level of review is warranted in the future study.

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Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) showed a consistent positive effect in treating chronic wounds.

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New debridement methods that gaining more attention includes hydro-surgery, low-frequency ultrasonic and enzymatic collagenase debridement.

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Newer debridement method reported faster wound bed preparation and deemed to be less pain.

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Patient safety was not clearly defined in these newer debridement methods.

Larval therapy applied to a large arterial ulcer: an effective outcome

This article is a review of larval therapy and includes a case study that uses larval therapy in the treatment of complex leg ulcer wounds. Complex wounds require careful management from the multidisciplinary team and present clinicians with intricate challenges to save the limb. Wound-bed preparation and debridement needs to be as effective and non-traumatic as possible for the patient. Larval therapy removes the devitalised tissue effectively with minimal tissue trauma. This case study reports on a patient with a non-progressing, full-thickness wound with exposed tendon following reconstructive surgery at a local vascular unit. The patient was left with very limited treatment options, as traditional dressings for the arterial ulcer nearly resulted in amputation due to the deterioration in the wound. As part of the patient's management, she was treated with larval therapy in an attempt to salvage her limb. This article follows the progress of complex leg ulcer wounds employing BioFoam® dressing (BioMonde, Bridgend) for larvae debridement therapy over a 4-week period and incorporating five applications of three BioFoam dressing bags. This care pathway ensured the patient's safety by promoting effective wound healing with the larval therapy leading to excellent clinical patient outcomes.

Treatment for lymphorrhoea in limbs and in advanced disease

Supported by the NHS Lymphoedema Service Administrator, this article reports on a project undertaken by a clinical nurse specialist in Lymphoedema (CNS) and in part fulfilment of an MSc in Skin integrity skills and treatment, achieved from the University of Hertfordshire, September 2011. The need for the project was generated by the 5-day delay experienced by terminally ill patients in a hospice while waiting to receive treatment for lymphorrhoea from the community-based CNS. The training and assessment of healthcare assistants in a cost-effective treatment enabled the instigation of care within 3 hours of the development of lymphorrhoea in a patient and an evaluation of its competent delivery.