Case Study
Introduction:
Gentleman of 45 was admitted with swelling, pain and purpling of the groin area as well as feeling really unwell. The patient is also a smoker, alcoholic with peripheral vascular disease with a long history of intravenous drug use.
The surgeons completed an assessment of the swelling and due to the infected necrosis, that was evident the following day decided to take to theatre for debridement.
Over the next few days both wounds became infected and the exudate was pouring out being unmanageable for the nursing staff and patient. Foam dressing were used to manage the exudate and patient became uncompliant, removing the sodden foam which increased the risk of further infection.
Method:
The wound underwent washout and debridement and V.A.C. VERAFLO™ Therapy with V.A.C. VERAFLO™ CLEANSE CHOICE Dressing was applied for the next 10 days. The goal of V.A.C. VERAFLO™ Therapy was to remove the infected material and to granulate tissue at the wound site.
The peri wound was dressed with 3M™ Cavilon™ No Sting Barrier Film and protected with DuoDERM® extra thin hydrocolloid dressing. ADAPTIC TOUCH™ Dressing was used to protect a small area the was potentially close to the exposed blood vessels.
A Saline 0.9% Between 10-20mls was instilled with a 10 minute dwell time, followed by 3.5 hours of continuous negative pressure at -125mmHg. Dressing changes occurred every 3 days.
After 10 days of V.A.C. VERAFLO™ Therapy, the wound was transitioned onto traditional V.A.C.® Therapy until conservatively dressed with antimicrobial and foam dressing.
Clinical Outcomes/ Conclusion:
The V.A.C. VERAFLO™ Therapy cleaned away the infection and controlled the levels of exudate, reducing the amount of dressing changes. The patient remained compliant throughout and did not remove the dressing. Quality of patient perceived care improved as the therapy allowed the patient to feel some control over his wounds. The use of incontinence pads (standard of care) was not necessary which was positive as the patient felt the pads were undignified.
Management of Infected Bilateral Groin using V.A.C VERAFLO™ Therapy