| Purulence/Infection
POD 0-12 |
|
Remove all signs of possible purulence
- Aspirate or evacuate by incising/rolling
- Treat with topical antimicrobials - Irrigate INTEGRA™
Bilayer Matrix Wound Dressing sites at seams/edges and
beneath the silicone layer with a topical antimicrobial
such as sulfamylon 5 solution/slurry, G-U irrigant, or
silver nitrate 0.5% solution. Irrigate frequently (2-6
times daily).
- Culture and initiate systemic antibiotics based on the
clinical judgement of the practitioner
If aggressive treatment of purulence
is not successful as evidenced by increasing purulence/pus,
non-take of INTEGRA™ Bilayer Matrix Wound Dressing
(i.e., a "floating" sheet) or silicone separation,
then the affected area needs to be removed.
- Remove only the affected area using "windowing"
(remove silicone over area to be treated, creating a "window"),
treat with topical antibiotics
- Treat as open wound until infection is resolved. Once
infection is resolved, apply new INTEGRA™ Bilayer
Matrix Wound Dressing sheet or treat with temporary covers.
If applying an epidermal autograft, the granulation tissue
should be removed, revealing healing tissue underneath.
Areas of Incomplete INTEGRA™
Bilayer Matrix Wound Dressing Take (i.e., inadequate formation)
POD 5 or higher
Areas of incomplete take or detachment of the INTEGRA™
Bilayer Matrix Wound Dressing can result from mechanical
dislodgement (due to shear, improper splinting, PT), infection,
hematoma, granulation tissue formation, premature silicone
separation or damaged matrix.
There are several options for treating areas of incomplete
take depending on the size of the area:
- Areas under 2 sq cm should be monitored for infection
but not remove until time of epidermal grafting
- Areas over 2 sq cm should be removed and treated by
either (1) re-application of new INTEGRA™ Bilayer
Matrix Wound Dressing or (2) STSG
- Identification of poor INTEGRA™ Bilayer Matrix
Wound Dressing take is identified by poor color and lack
of adherence (lateral movement of matrix under finger
pressure)
