Various Lower Extremity Use Cases for Superabsorbent Dressings - Case Series ​

Effective exudate management is essential for wound healing. Lower extremity wounds are often highly exudative resulting in a variety of challenges. These types of wounds often require multiple dressing changes daily which can be exhausting to both the patient and the caregiver. In an ideal setting, the dressing should be able to sustain at least one full 24- hour period before needing the next dressing change especially if these wounds are painful.

The purpose of this study is to determine patient outcomes after switching dressing protocols to a superabsorbent such as Zetuvit® Plus in a local wound care practice.

This is a series of challenging cases involving highly exudative atypical wounds of the lower extremity, including cases of venous statis, Graft vs Host, and scleroderma.

After implementing the new protocol, there was a noticeable change in odor control and wound base appearance along with a decreased frequency in need for multiple daily dressing changes.

These results demonstrate that superabsorbent dressings should be the standard of care in all wound types of the lower extremity with exudate that is from moderate to heavy to aid with wound healing, infection control, odor control, and pain management.

Alton R. Johnson Jr.

DPM, DABPM, CWSP, FACPM, FASPS | Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Foot and Ankle Surgery

University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI

This poster, presented at the SAWC Fall 2023 (Symposium on Advanced Wound Care Fall), alongside a corresponding presentation by Dr. Laura Swoboda, offers an in-depth look into the Wound Balance Concept. Through cases and comprehensive discussion, they illustrate the practical application of achieving Wound Balance, emphasizing its benefits for both patients and the care team.