Open wounds Flashcards
Describe the main differences in open wound healing in the dog and cat?
Open wound healing may be delayed in the cat, with lower amounts of granulation tissue. In one study at 21 days open cat wounds were 34% epithelialized and 84% healed, whereas dog wounds were 89% epithelialized and 98% healed.
What psi is considered high pressure wound lavage?
Above 5-8 psi
Describe the different dressing changes available for wound treatment in companion animals
See table page 1414 Tobias
What are the different types of wound debridement that can be used during definitive wound care?
En bloc, layered, nonsurgical (enzymatic, nonenzymatic)
What are some examples of nonenzymatic nonsurgical debridement materials?
Honey, hypertonic saline, sugar, wet-to-dry bandages, maggots
How is honey antibacterial?
Produces low quantities of hydrogen peroxide, acidic pH, hyperosmolar (dehydrate organisms, draw exudate and accompanying debris from the wound), antioxidant content, stimulation of immunity (T and B lymphocytes, phagocytic activity, cytokine release from monocytes)
What is the inhibin number of honey?
A measure of the antibacterial properties of the honey (dilution to which the honey will retain its antibacterial activity)
The larvae of what fly is used for maggot wound therapy?
Lucilia seratica (will not destroy healthy dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Will destroy healthy epithelium)
What are examples of wound dressings that may be appropriate for mildly exudative, moderately and markedly exudative wounds?
Mildly: hydrogels
Moderately: Hydrocolloids or polyurethane foam dressings
Markedly: Alginates
What is the benefit of maintaining a moist wound environment?
Enhances autolytic debridement by keeping the cellular and cytokine rich exudate at the wound surface
What are some topical antimicrobial agents that can be used on open wounds?
Topical ointment (triple AB therapy: polymixin, neomycin, bacitracin zinc)
Slow release silver dressings (slow release dressings more effective than 1% silver sulfadiazine)
Why are silver dressings only recommended in the inflammatory phase of wound healing?
They have been shown to have a toxic effect on human keratinocytes in vitro
What effect are bioscaffolds and synthetic matrixes supposed to have on wound healing?
Stimulation of matrix deposition, angiogenesis and epithelialization. Seem to have more of an effect on chronic wounds in inhibiting the actions of MMPs - shifting the balance toward proliferation rather than degradation of the extracellular matrix.
What pressure is generally recommended for NPWT in dogs?
-80 to -125 mmHg (lower for grafts -60 to -75)
What are the reported effects of NPWT on the wound bed?
Improved wound perfusion, reduced edema, stimulation of granulation tissue formation, decreased bacterial colonization, removal of exudate from the wound.
