Vibrating Mechanical Debridement Tool Assessed in Various Ulcer Types

Debridement plays a role in both removing slough and necrotic tissue, and in preparing the wound bed to encourage and accelerate epithelization. However, excisional debridement is painful, which can lead to patients refusing necessary procedures. Researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai presented a poster at SAWC Spring 2023 in National Harbor, Maryland, detailing their experience in evaluating an alternative to excisional debridement. The research team included Callie Horn, MD; Allegra L. Fierro, MD; Lauren Rodio, BS; and John C. Lantis II, MD.

The researchers examined the utility of a vibrating mechanical debridement tool (VMDT) in 8 patients. The patients were seen weekly in-office following wide excisional debridement for ulcer types that included diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, mixed venous-arterial ulcers, atypical ulcers, and rheumatoid ulcers. VMDT debridement was performed for 1 to 4 minutes (based on wound size) in combination with saline irrigation before the application of cellular- or tissue-based products (CTPs). The CTPs of choice consisted of either a bilayered skin substitute, a cryopreserved human skin allograft, or human amniotic membrane.

All patients tolerated VMDT debridement, and fluorescence wound imaging showed that VMDT usage led to a noticeable reduction in wound bioburden. In addition, CTP engraftment 1 week after application was encouraging and repeat debridement with the VMDT prior to ongoing re-application of CTPs was approved by all patients.

-Kelsey Kaustinen, Associate Editor

Poster Reference: Horn C, Fierro AL, Rodio L, Lantis JC II. Vibrating mechanical debridement tool use prior to application of tissue-based therapies. Poster presented at: Symposium on Advanced Wound Care Spring; April 26-30, 2023; National Harbor, MD.