May, 2005

Dear Readers,

In the Veterinary Wounds Section this month, Dr. Sarah Cockbill addresses the challenge of objectively assessing wound healing in a canine study. In both animal and clinical studies, investigators have employed a myriad of approaches to quantify healing, a task that is even more difficult when attempting to detect small differences between experimental and control groups. Dr. Cockbill points out that while area measurements are not without difficulties, measurement of wound volume and its decrease during repair has been the most difficult assessment. As the techn

T he process of dressing selection is determined primarily by the nature of the wound, which includes the exudative, odorous, and microbial characteristics of the wound. Today, many sophisticated dressings made from a wide range of materials are available to the wound care physician. Depending upon their structure and composition, some dressings may simply absorb exudate, while others may inhibit the colonization of microorganisms, but the search for a material that eliminates both odor and exudate still continues.
Wound odor is commonly produced by chronic leg or decubitus ulcers and fung

Presentation

A 51-year-old man presented to the multidisciplinary wound clinic with right lower-extremity cellulitis and multiple open wounds of 6 months duration (Figure 1). His past medical history was significant for hypertension and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Injured while gardening, his leg initially developed small punctures with surrounding contusions. As local erythema and edema evolved, the wounds became pustules and developed bullae. These chronic, worsening wounds opened and began draining, causing him to seek medical attention.

Diagnosis

Wound culture results a

Patients Remain Awake During Surgery Using High-Tech “Pain Pump”

Using a small, microchip-controlled ambIT infusion pump attached to a thin tube that provides an anesthetic bath to the nerves of the patient’s foot, Peter J. Bregman, DPM, of Northeast Foot Specialists in Wilmington, Mass, is able to control pain during surgery without general anesthesia. His patients are awake during surgery yet remain completely pain-free. After surgery, the pain pump, which hangs from a belt pack and runs on 2 AA batteries, stays with the patient to ensure a comfortable recovery at home.
Dr. Bregm