small animal wounds Flashcards
what is surgical wound debridement?
remove biofilm and devitalised tissue
what techniques are used in mechanical wound debridement?
- Irrigation
- Wet-to-dry dressing
- Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT)
what is Autolytic wound debridment?
Body’s own enzymes beneath a dressing to liquefy tissues
Hydrocolloids, hydrogels, honey, foam, etc.
what is enzymatic wound debridment?
prescribed topical agent that chemical liquifies necrotic tissue with enzymes
what is biological wound debridment?
maggots, luilia sericata (green bottle fly)
what is the most ideal solution used for lavage debridment?
lactated ringer’s solution - ideal pH and is compatible with tissue
what other solution can be used for lavage debridment and is acceptable?
0.9% saline
what temperature should flush be at?
body temp
what volume of flush should be used?
high vloume on newly presented wounds (1 litre is not uncommon)
how do you create a high pressure for wound debridment?
use a syringe and needle to increase pressure:
20-35ml syringe, 18G needle = 7-8 psi (careful not to for particulate matter deeper into the wound)
what is the process behind wet-to-dry dressing?
- take sterile swab and soak in isotonic
crystalloid solution eg hartmans then squeeze out - place ove the chronic granulation bed
- cover with dry swabs, conforming layer and elasticated layer
- change every 24 hours
converts the chronic granulation bed to healthy bed and can then manage wound better
what is topical negative pressure wound therapy?
When turned on, the pump gently reduces air pressure beneath the dressing, drawing off exudate and reducing oedema in surrounding tissues.
This process reduces bacterial colonisation, promotes granulation tissue development, increases the rate of cell mitosis, and spurs the migration of epithelial cells within the wound
what are the effects of honey on wound healing?
- Antibacterial effect – reduction or eradication of bacteria
- Healing stimulating properties – reduction in wound size, healing time, complete healing, stimulation of granulation tissue and epithelialisation
- Debriding effect
- Anti-inflammatory effect
- Odour reducing capacity
- Reduction in wound pain
why is honey good for debridment?
- Low pH (approx. 3.7)
- Osmotic effect
Both help draw up fluid from the wound area
why is honey a good antimicrobial agent?
- Hydrogen peroxide (glucose oxidase)
- Anti-oxidant (flavonoids)
- High sugar content (osmotic effect)
- Acidic (pH 3.2 - 4.5)
- Methylglyoxal (Manuka honey)
- It’s potency as an antimicrobial can be measured by the Unique Manuka Factor® (UMF®)
- +15 will ensure potent antimicrobial properties over and above those of standard honey
can table honey be used to treat wounds?
yes however need to concider:
* Might not be sterile (e.g., Clostridium botulism risk)
The production process might have an adverse effect the activities of
* Hydrogen peroxide (glucose oxidase)
* Anti-oxidant (flavonoids)
what are the issues with using biological agents for wound managerment?
maggots can’t differentiate between wound and healthy tissue
what method of debridement is quickest?
scraping with a scapel blade
what method of debridement is cheapest?
scraping with a scalpel blade
what method of debridement is not the fastest or cheapest but is near the top of both catagories?
wet-to-dry dressing
state 7 reasons for dressing wounds:
- Keep the wound from becoming dehydrated and prevent contamination/ further damage of the wound site.
- Immobilise the wound and promote healing by allowing migration of new tissue across the wound. Movement, swelling delays healing.
- Create a warm (optimum temperature 30c) and moist environment to promote healing. If temperature falls below 20c circulation is impaired resulting in reduced blood flow to the area.
- Promote gaseous exchange and improving oxygen supply to the wound.
- To apply pressure, control/ reduce swelling.
- Absorb exudate as this impairs the supply of oxygen.
- To limit the formation of excessive granulation-‘proud flesh’
