Current Issue

Surgical Wound Fluid From Elderly Patients Shows a Dramatically Reduced Potential to Stimulate In-vitro Recruitment

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:36:21 -0400

Abstract:

Purpose. Elderly patients are susceptible to wound healing problems due to impaired neovascularisation in tissue repair. We investigated influence of surgical wound fluid (WF) obtained from both young and aged patients after musculoskeletal surgery on in-vitro recruitment and differentiation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Further, VEGF and TGF-b1 in WF were measured and blockade experiments were performed to analyze the role of both cytokines in EPC recruitment. Methods. WF was obtained from young (28 ± 5 years, n = 14) and elderly (74 ± 8 years, n =

Techniques and Cost Effectiveness of Enteroatmospheric Fistula Isolation

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:44:20 -0400

Abstract:

Background. The following describes successful isolation of enteroatmospheric fistulae within a negative pressure wound therapy system (V.A.C.®, KCI, San Antonio, TX). Methods. An impermeable tubular structure was placed around the fistula with a dressing applied to the surrounding wound base, dressed with an impermeable drape and negative pressure, and then an ostomy appliance was placed over the isolated fistula stoma. Cost analysis compared traditional dressings to the NPWT isolation method. Results. All patients underwent fistula isolation with comp

Saving Starfish—Managing Wounds After the Haitian Earthquake

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:06:05 -0400

Abstract:

First responders to calamitous events face problems that with hindsight could be avoided. Communities, organizations, and hospitals usually have a “preparedness program.” When asked by the media what I expected as a first-responder to the Haitian earthquake, I missed the mark in many ways. I’ve learned that for some tragedies, no amount of preparation is sufficient. Each day, wound care physicians see a variety of traumatic and infected wounds. In Haiti, the sheer magnitude of what we saw and the logistical problems of getting supplies to the “field” were something

Haiti: After the Fall

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:10:55 -0400

As you read this, it has been a little more than 7 months since the earthquake devastated Port-au-Prince specifically, and all of Haiti in general. Others in this issue have discussed the immediate disaster, the massive response to it, and the challenges faced by all who chose to go to help. Many wound care providers answered the call and did what they could to relieve the suffering and improve the situation. Their efforts proved invaluable to those who were suffering the most. Time has passed, yet many questions still remain: what is going on now? Has anything changed in 7 months?

Heather Hettrick, PT, PhD, MLT, CWS, FACCWS

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:12:41 -0400

Heather Hettrick, PT, PhD, MLT, CWS, FACCWS offers in-depth insight into the Continuum of Care Coalition LTD (C3) and the company’s purpose in working with government agencies to right the inadvertent negative consequences of otherwise positive legislation or regulation.

Q: Please describe your work experiences that prepared you for your current position as President and Executive Chair:
A: I have been involved in the field of wound management for over 16 years, working in a variety of settings ranging from clinical (hospital and clinic based), admi

The Power of Words

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:13:28 -0400

Words—so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become in the hands of one who knows how to combine them. Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864)

Every day we use a multitude of words to express ourselves. The words we choose help define who we are, our goals, and our ideals. If you use erudite words, people will think you are intelligent. If you choose to use profane words, people will have an entirely different connotation about you—perhaps a negative one. If you use slang and colloquial

Alleviating Venous Ulcer Pain

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:24:07 -0400

Dear Readers:

Pain is one of the most dreaded and least understood complications of chronic and acute wounds. Through the years research has confirmed that that moisture-retentive topical primary wound dressings can alleviate pain compared to gauze dressings in chronic venous¹ or pressure² ulcers and in acute burns³ surgical excisions⁴ or traumatic wounds.⁵ A recent Cochrane review concluded that a topical eutectic mixture (at lowest possible temperature of solidification) of 2.5% each of the two local anesthet

News Products and Industry News August

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:40:22 -0400

KCI Boosts Research and Development Capabilities with Launch of Advanced Research and Technology Center

Kinetic Concepts Inc ([KCI] San Antonio, TX) announced the creation of an Advanced Research and Technology (ART) center that will lead the company’s efforts to develop revolutionary new wound healing, regenerative medicine, and therapeutic support system technologies and treatments. KCI has an enviable history of developing products that offer differentiation and deliver great patient outcomes. The KCI ART will serve as an innovation center that investigates emerging