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Topical Therapies
Wound care often begins with topical dressing changes with saline (saltwater) or Dakin’s solution (bleach-like) 2 to 3 times daily to gently remove nonviable or contaminated tissue and promote healing by the body. Topically applied agents with active enzymatic components can help debride the devitalized (dead) tissue. Pulsavac treatment (pressurized salt water irrigation) can additionally prepare wounds for healing. Finally, when topical and local management fail, surgical debridement is sometimes necessary.
Reconstructive Surgeries
Difficult wounds often require reconstructive surgery, either skin grafts, skin flaps, muscle flaps, tissue expansion, VAC®, or microvascular reconstructive techniques to bring new tissue into the area.
All of the descriptions for the various procedures are condensed from the text of the upcoming textbook written by Dr. Christopher Park and Dr. Malcolm Marks and are copyrighted, "The Artistry of Plastic Surgery: Exploring the Experience” . |
