Improved Exudate Control Utilizing Advanced Moisture Management Dressings for Diabetic Foot Limb Salvage, Surgical and Post-Operative Wounds

Surgical wounds closed with sutures or staples1heal by primary intention. Wounds generated from limb salvage surgery often cannot be closed simply by sutures and follow a healing path like that of a chronic wound. These surgical wounds can produce large amounts of drainage which can lead to higher chance for maceration, breakdown to the surrounding skin, and even dehiscence. The wound dressings utilized need to not only manage the exudate but provide protection to the surrounding skin while the wound progresses through the healing cascade. A case series study was conducted consisting of a patient sampling that underwent potential lower limb-saving surgery, such as flaps, wound closure, and digit/partial foot amputation requiring drainage control. An advanced moisture management dressing* was utilized as the primary dressing for exudate control and protection to the periwound. The technology within the dressing wicks away excess exudates while maintaining a moist wound environment.2Following sharp surgical debridement and wound bed preparation, the moisture management dressings were applied to the wound and multi-layer compression was used when clinically necessary. Dressing change frequency varied based on drainage levels from once a week (low) to upwards of three times per week (high). The wounds were examined for exudate amount, quality of the wound bed/peri-wound, overall patient comfort, and ease of use. The moisture management dressings were able to handle the varying drainage levels while still maintaining an optimal environment at the wound and peri-wound skin. Patients were adherent and overall wound outcomes improved with this course of treatment. Exudate levels managed with this moisture management dressing coupled with standard wound care treatment protocols, including serial sharp wound debridement and edema control, showed promising results in advancing wound healing in these complex wound cases.