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A case series on improving the management of malignant cutaneous wounds through silicone SAP dressings

Scientific Content

A case series on improving the management of malignant cutaneous wounds through silicone SAP dressings

Type
Clinical Case Publication
Topics
Palliative Wound Care, Malignant Cutaneous Wounds, Exudate Management, Chronic Wounds, Proteases, Wound Balance, Complex Wounds, Wound Infection, Patient Quality of Life, Wound Dressing, Superabsorbent Polymer Dressings, Wound Care
Language
EN
Publication Year
2024
Author(s)
Tabatha Rando
Approx. reading time
30 min. (10 pages)

Summary

Malignant cutaneous wounds (MCWs) cause high exudate levels, bleeding, malodour, severe pain and social isolation for patients. Silicone superabsorbent polymer (SAP) dressings have shown promising results in management of high-exudate wounds and can be used to meet patient preferences and improve outcomes in patients with MCWs. The aim of this open-label, single-centre case series study was to evaluate whether silicone SAP dressings can improve patient and clinician outcomes in managing MCWs.

This study was undertaken in acute tertiary care. Forty-one dressing evaluations (n=41) in 13 patients (≥1 MCW) were included, performed by 26 cancer/wound specialist/ward nurses, with one patient’s wound also recorded as a snapshot of silicone SAP dressing performance. Data were collected via a product evaluation form assessing overall clinical performance, exudate management, peri-wound condition, self-reported comfort of dressing, ease of use and dressing integrity during wear time; performance was also compared with previously used products.

Conclusion

Achieving ‘wound balance’ as the focus of patient-centred MCW management is vital in protecting patient comfort and dignity. Furthermore, wound topography should be considered in selecting wound dressing type (silicone-edged self-adhesive versus non-adhesive) for MCWs.

This case series evaluated feedback from tertiary care nurses on the use of silicone SAP dressings for MCWs.

The study outcomes support the effectiveness of silicone SAP dressings in management of MCWs of varying types and locations. Our results also suggest that tertiary care clinicians may prefer to use silicone SAP dressings because they manage exudate, are atraumatic in application and removal, and lead to positive feedback from both patients and nurses, indicating improved QoL outcomes.

Author

Tabatha Rando
(MNP, Grad Dip CHN, Grad Cert STN, Dip FLM, Cert IV WAT, Cert WM, RN, NP)
Nurse Practitioner, Wound Management, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide SA, Australia

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  • White Paper -Wound Balance: Achieving Wound Healing with Confidence
  • Wound-QoL-14 - Short version with 14 items

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