II. Indications
-
Wound Critical Colonization
- Friable granulation tissue
- Malodorous Wounds
- Altered wound drainage
- Increased would pain
III. Preparations
-
Topical Antibiotics
- See Topical Antibiotic
- May decrease infection in minor contaminated wounds
- Do not decrease the risk of infection in clean wounds (surgical wounds)
- Risk fo Allergic Contact Dermatitis and Antibiotics resistance
- Use only for short period and then transition to petroleum jelly or Vaseline Gauze
- Antimicrobial Solutions
- Double Antibiotic Solution (DABS, Gentamycin and Neomycin)
- Applied 3-4 times per day
- Risk of Antibiotic Resistance
- Dakin's Solution (Bleach, Hydrogen Peroxide, Betadine, Alcohol)
- Cytotoxic agents and typically only recommended for frank infection or necrosis
- Other agents are recommended after infection controlled
- Acetic acid (vinegar and saline)
- Effective for Pseudomonas (but risk of tissue cytotoxicity)
- Hypochlorous acid (e.g. Puracyn Plus, Vashe)
- Naturally occuring agents released by White Blood Cells
- May use to soak wounds to remove biofilm, then remove, dry and apply bandage
- Leptospermum Honey (e.g. Medihoney, Activon Tulle Honey, Dynarex L-Mesitran)
- Gamma-irradiated products
- Antimicrobial activity, but avoid in critical colonization or infected wounds
- Debrides wounds
- Double Antibiotic Solution (DABS, Gentamycin and Neomycin)
- Dressings
- Calcium Alginate Gel (e.g. Dermaginate, Tegaderm Alginate)
- Kills active biofilms and prevents their growth
- Nanocrystalline Silver Impregnated Films (e.g. Tegaderm Ag Mesh, Aquacel Ag, Silvercel, Mepilex Ag)
- Broad spectrum antimicrobial activity and decreases biofilms
- May stay in place for up to a week (change more often if heavy exudate)
- Not cytotoxic
- Cadexomer Iodine (e.g. Iodoflex, Inadine)
- Hydrofera Blue
- Bacteriostatic dyes
- Highly absorptive
- Surfactant (e.g. Plurogel)
- Prevents biofilm development and promotes Antibiotic efficacy
- Start with daily application
- Calcium Alginate Gel (e.g. Dermaginate, Tegaderm Alginate)
IV. References
- Quisberg (2017) Wound Care Update, Park Nicollet Conference, St Louis Park, MN (attended 9/15/2017)