Pulse Lavage Is An Effective Wound Care Treatment

By Paulette Short


Proper debridement and cleansing of open wounds is vitally important with regard to wound care management. It speeds the process of healing, and inhibits infections from starting due to the presence of foreign bodies such as bacteria that may use the wound as a place to enter the person's body. Studies have been completed on a technique referred to pulse lavage debridement, during which the wound is cleansed with water, unlike conventional techniques that require that the area to remain dry.

There are many reasons a wound may be sustained. For instance, an individual who is in a nursing home or who is immobile may develop bedsores due to the fact that he or she cannot rise from bed to complete daily living activities or ambulate. Other injuries of this type may be the result of cuts, burns, or any one of many other unfortunate occurrences.

Pulse lavage refers to the delivering of a water-based solution for the purpose of irrigating a wound. This is typically done under a specific level of pressure, and the solution is passed through a device that is run by electricity. The irrigation results in simultaneous pressure being applied to the area and is followed with suction, the latter of which removes the irrigation solution from the wound. This cleansing method eliminates debris and infectious agents from the wound's surface.

Additionally, irrigation and suction can be delivered to the area simultaneously. During this procedure, the water irrigates one section of the wound while the other area is being suction. However, it may be challenging to implement this technique on wounds that feature a narrow circumference.

This kind of cleaning and debridement technique is known by many different names. The latter include pulsatile, jet, or mechanical lavage, as well as "high pressure irrigation". All refer to the same procedure. Plain water may be used as the irrigation solution, or other substances may be added according to what the patient's physician, surgeon, or wound care specialist thinks is best.

The military also uses this type of irrigation method. Using this procedure to debride and clean contaminated wounds that patients received in combat was determined to be a highly effective option for such individuals. In fact, the technique was first used in the 1960s on military personnel, and shortly thereafter it was performed on civilians. Although further studies are currently being conducted on its level of effectiveness and safety, this method is now universally accepted by most health care practitioners.

There are various levels of pressure that can be utilized with this cleansing method. Some medical scientists claim that only low pressure irrigation should be performed, while other professionals report that there are no additional risks associated with high-pressure techniques. This decision will largely depend on the kind of wound the individual sustained, as well as the opinion of the doctor or other practitioner from whom the patient is receiving treatment. Research has overwhelmingly pointed to the fact that tissue surrounding the wound is safer from exposure to foreign substances such as bacteria after pressurized irrigation is performed.

Most professionals agree that this technique will be used on numerous patients for many years in the future. Additional research is currently underway in order to further perfect this method. Those afflicted with wounds should consider speaking to a medical doctor or other professional about pulse lavage.




About the Author:



0 commentaires:

Enregistrer un commentaire