Cavity wounds are deep, highly exuding wounds that can occur in most wound aetiologies and locations. They can present a challenge in clinical practice due to high exudate levels that can increase the risk of infection and maceration. Cavity wounds should be ‘loosely filled’ with a highly absorbent dressing. Exufiber® and Exufiber® Ag+ have properties that are well-suited to managing cavity wounds. At the Wounds UK Annual Conference 2021, delegates attended an interactive Made Easy session with the opportunity to use Exufiber in a simulated cavity wound and reflect on how they teach the management of cavity wound.

KEY WORDS Cavity wound Exudate Exufiber® Filling

Abstract: Wound healing is a complex process that may be affected by various factors. An appropriate microenvironment is necessary to attain accelerated healing. Modern dressings are designed to facilitate healing by providing the moist wound environment needed, but also to provide an atraumatic experience for the patients. This article discusses three cases where a silicone border adhesive foam dressing containing technology lipidocolloid (TLC) healing matrix technology was applied. The case results emulate those achieved in previous, in mostly European studies, demonstrating that the evaluated dressing is effective in promotion of wound healing while also being acceptable to both health professionals and patients in China.

Key words: ■ Acute wounds ■ Chronic wounds ■ Silver antimicrobial ■ UrgoTul Ag ■ Wound infection

Wang Chunli, RN. Wound and Ostomy Centre, Shenzhen Hospital of Nanfang Medical University, Shenzhen (China); Liu Zeyun, RN. Head of Pressure Injury Clinic, Aerospace Central Hospital, Beijing (China); Liu Yang, RN, Head Nurse of wound Care Clinic, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin (China); Emilio Galea, International Medical Director, Urgo Education & Training Alliance, Singapore; Helen Wang, Medical Manager, URGO Medical, Shanghai (China)

Beta-haemolytic Streptococcus is a Gram-positive microorganism that is found in burn wounds and provokes graft failure. Streptococcus pyogenes toxins increase the depth and severity of burn wounds. Topical antimicrobial agents can be used to treat burn wounds and improve results after burn infection. However, there are few studies exploring the antimicrobial action of silver sulfadiazine against S pyogenes. This study aimed to evaluate 1% silver sulfadiazine antimicrobial activity against S pyogenes. We isolated eight S pyogenes samples from adult patients at the Hospital Provincial de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina. Six samples were from burn wounds and two from blood culture. The outcomes were compared with the topical antimicrobial agents 2% mupirocin and 1% fusidic acid cream. We tested and compared the susceptibility of S pyogenes with these topical antimicrobial agents using agar well diffusion assays and minimum bactericidal concentration tests. The results show that the 1% silver sulfadiazine cream has an inhibitory effect on S pyogenes similar to that of 2% mupirocin and 1% fusidic acid cream. Considering its greater antimicrobial spectrum, silver sulfadiazine is a valid alternative to control many infections associated with wounds and burns, including those caused by S pyogenes.

Authors (clockwise from top left): Cecilia Casabonne, Agustina González, Virginia Aquili and Claudia Balagué

A complex patient with multiple disease states knocks at my door looking for solutions to a troubling medical issue. “Am I up to the task?” you may ask. “Can I help her attain a satisfactory outcome and improve her quality of life?” This case study outlines the clinical approach and successful management of a woman with rheumatoid arthritis who presented with a leg ulcer of 3 years’ duration.

Author:

Steven Jreige  

Steve Jreige is a Wound Care Nurse,

private practice, Sydney, Australia