Using a hydro-responsive wound dressing for lower limb salvage through debridement: A case study

This poster explores the use of a HRWD dressing to aid the healing of a lower limb wound that was at risk of amputation. The dressing used was Hydroclean^® Advance. Hydroclean^® Advance contains Ringer’s solution which is donated into the wound, thus facilitating the softening and debridement of devitalised tissue. It also contains superabsorbent particles which bind and sequester debris and bacteria.

Patient A is a 68-year-old previously active lady who still worked as a cleaner. A current smoker with a complex medical history. The patient previously received radiotherapy for cervical cancer, which had caused vascular deficiency resulting in extensive ulceration of the left lower leg.

The wound developed in February 2021 and in April 2021 she underwent emergency admission for urgent revascularisation of the lower limb.

Daily dressings were initially required to manage the level of exudate, however, within one week this was reduced to three times per week. Photographs were taken to monitor the progression of the wound and wound assessment forms completed. Pain reduced significantly over this time and Patient A was able to reduce the amount of analgesia being used. Patient A stated that this improved her quality of life and she was no longer having suicidal thoughts. The level of improvement allowed Patient A to return to sleeping upstairs and going for short walks in her local area with her dog.

Hydroclean^® Advance was used on a lower limb that was at high risk of being amputated it worked within a short time frame to debride, reduce pain and improve quality of life. The process of autolytic debridement by donation of moisture and removal of devitalised tissue, promoted a moist wound healing environment facilitating the migration of epithelial cells. The reduction in pain levels enabled daily activities to be resumed, positively impacting the health outcome for the patient and the wound. The domino effect resulted in the wider nursing team being able to reduce visits, freeing up capacity in an already stretched Community Nursing Team.

Charlotte Keaveney – District Nurse Clinical Lead, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.