Comparing methods of debridement for removing biofilm in hard-to-heal wounds

Clinical performance and safety of a debridement pad with abrasive and non-abrasive fibres

BACKGROUND

Debridement is key to removing devitalised tissue, debris and biofilm as part of wound-bed preparation. Unlike many other methods of debridement, mechanical debridement with a pad is effective enough to be used independently without an adjunctive method of debridement, while being more accessible than other standalone options.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical performance and safety of a debridement pad with both abrasive and non-abrasive surfaces in daily clinical practice.

METHODS

This was a prospective, non-controlled, non-randomised, single-arm, open-label, multicentred observational evaluation. Inclusion criteria were wounds >4 cm2 covered with at least 30% debris, necrotic tissue or slough in patients aged ≥18 years. The treatment protocol comprised a single application of the debridement pad. The primary outcome measure was the amount of necrotic tissue, slough or debris in the wound bed. Secondary outcomes included the appearance of the wound bed, edges and periwound skin; self-reported pain scores; foreseeable negative impacts; and clinician satisfaction.

RESULTS

A total of 62 participants with a variety of wound types were included in the analysis. Most wounds (87%) had been present for over 3 months and had high or moderate exudate levels (90%). A significant reduction was observed in all three parameters: necrotic tissue (p=0.043), slough (p<0.001) and debris (p<0.001). Necrotic tissue, slough and debris showed mean relative reductions of 40%, 72% and 40%, respectively. Of participants, 84% did not experience an increase in pain during the debridement procedure.

CONCLUSION

This clinical real-world data shows the debridement pad to be an effective and well-tolerated device for debridement and wound bed preparation.

Multifunctional antibacterial hydrogels for chronic wound management

Chronic wounds have gradually evolved into a global health challenge, comprising long-term non-healing wounds, local tissue necrosis, and even amputation in severe cases. Accordingly, chronic wounds place a considerable psychological and economic burden on patients and society. Chronic wounds have multifaceted pathogenesis involving excessive inflammation, insufficient angiogenesis, and elevated reactive oxygen species levels, with bacterial infection playing a crucial role. Hydrogels, renowned for their excellent biocompatibility, moisture retention, swelling properties, and oxygen permeability, have emerged as promising wound repair dressings. However, hydrogels with singular functions fall short of addressing the complex requirements associated with chronic wound healing. Hence, current research emphasises the development of multifunctional antibacterial hydrogels. This article reviews chronic wound characteristics and the properties and classification of antibacterial hydrogels, as well as their potential application in chronic wound management.

Topical desiccating agent (DEBRICHEM): an accessible debridement option for removing biofilm in hard-to-heal wounds

It is now assumed that all hard-to-heal wounds contain biofilm. Debridement plays a key role in wound-bed preparation, as it can remove biofilm along with the devitalised tissue, potentially leaving a clean wound bed that is more likely to progress towards healing. The gold standard methods of debridement (surgical and sharp) are the least used, as they require specialist training and are often not readily available at the point of need. Most other methods can be used by generalists but are slower. They all need regular applications. The topical desiccating agent DEBRICHEM is an innovative alternative, as it is fast, effective and can be used in all clinical settings, as well as typically requiring only a single use. This article describes best practice for achieving optimal outcomes with its use.

Strategies for combating antibiotic resistance in bacterial biofilms

Biofilms, which are complexes of microorganisms that adhere to surfaces and secrete protective extracellular matrices, wield substantial influence across diverse domains such as medicine, industry, and environmental science. Despite ongoing challenges posed by biofilms in clinical medicine, research in this field remains dynamic and indeterminate. This article provides a contemporary assessment of biofilms and their treatment, with a focus on recent advances, to chronicle the evolving landscape of biofilm research.

Nanomedicine against biofilm infections: A roadmap of challenges and limitations

Microbial biofilms are complex three-dimensional structures where sessile microbes are embedded in a polymeric extracellular matrix. Their resistance toward the host immune system as well as to a diverse range of antimicrobial treatments poses a serious health and development threat, being in the top 10 global public health threats declared by the World Health Organization. In an effort to combat biofilm-related microbial infections, several strategies have been developed to independently eliminate biofilms or to complement conventional antibiotic therapies. However, their limitations leave room for other treatment alternatives, where the application of nanotechnology to biofilm eradication has gained significant relevance in recent years. Their small size, penetration efficiency, and the design flexibility that they present makes them a promising alternative for biofilm infection treatment, although they also present set-backs. This review aims to describe the main possibilities and limitations of nanomedicine against biofilms, while covering the main aspects of biofilm formation and study, and the current therapies for biofilm treatment. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Regulatory and Policy Issues in Nanomedicine.