THIS week's contributor is Associate Professor Geoff Sussman OAM - Wound management update: Where are we going with wounds and bacteria?
In general, the principle of Moist Wound Care is accepted by most clinicians, however there is still considerable resistance by some to adapt to modern management.
The argument offered is that there is little evidence to support the use of modern treatments and that they are expensive: both of these arguments are incorrect.
The prevention of bacteria in wounds is an important aspect of wound management.
Some antiseptics in use for many years are no longer considered appropriate, many are cytotoxic and this outweighs their antibacterial activity.
The negative effects include toxicity to fibroblasts, occlusion of microcirculation, retardation of collagen deposition, oxygen embolus risk (peroxides), localised oedema, hypernatraemia, hyperthermia, burns (hypochorites).
Examples of outdated antiseptics include peroxides, hypochlorites, phenolics, mercurochrome and potassium permanganate.
It is also important to note that some are feeble antiseptics.
There are a number of newer antiseptics that are very effective and have little or no toxicity.
Despite the use of many other, older antiseptics in a wide range of situations, evidence supporting their efficacy in the treatment of wound infection is limited.
Clinicians will use newer products; however, it is important that good clinical research is undertaken and published to validate their use in wound management.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 24 Sep 18
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