Wound Breakdown, Fungating Lesions, Pressure Sores, Fistulae

Rebecca Owen

Objectives Stages of Wound Healing

Fungating Lesions overview

Types of wound + dressing suggestions

Pressure Sores – common areas and treatment pathway

Fistulae overview

Summary

Stages of Wound Healing Haemostasis

Clotting cascade

Inflammatory Bacteria and debris phagocytosed and removed Release of factors causing migration +

proliferation

Proliferative Angiogenesis, collagen deposition, granulation

tissue formation, epithelialisation, wound contraction

Remodelling Collagen remodelled and realigned along tension

lines and unneeded cells removed by apoptosis

Wound Healing Phases

Wound Healing – Primary Intention “Involves epidermis and dermis

without total penetration of dermis healing by process of epithelialization”

When wound edges are brought together so that they are adjacent to each other (re-approximated)

Minimizes scarring Most surgical wounds Wound closure is performed with sutures (stitches),

staples, or adhesive tape Examples: well-repaired lacerations,well reduced

bone fractures,healing after flap surgery

Wound Healing – Secondary Intention

The wound is allowed to granulate Granulation results in a broader scar Healing process can be slow due to

presence of drainage from infection Wound care must be performed daily to

encourage wound debris removal to allow for granulation tissue formation

Surgeon may pack the wound with a gauze or use a drainage system

examples:gingivectomy,gingivoplasty,tooth extraction sockets, poorly reduced fractures.

Wound Healing – Tertiary Intention

(Delayed primary closure or secondary suture):

The wound is initially cleaned, debrided and observed, typically 4 or 5 days before closure.

The wound is purposely left open examples:healing of wounds by use of tissue

grafts.

Fungating Lesions Can be associated with

Pain Pruritis Exudate Malodour Bleeding Infection

Consider topical morphine, NSAIDs (pruritis), abx,

Treat exudate + infection with appropriate dressing

Fungating Lesions

Malodour Clense and debride surface Topical/systemic metronidazole Live Yoghurt (topically) Manuka Honey (Activon) (topically) Mask odour with camphor, herbs,incense

Psychological Support

Skin Tear

Occurs when friction + shearing forces cause tissue layers to slide across each other breaking blood vessels

Caused by sliding patients in bed,agitated patients moving in bed, removal of adhesive dressings

Skin Tear Management

Remove dressings using “lateral pull” technique

Mepitel dressing + dry gauze Change Mepitel every 5-7 days Change gauze when saturated

Wet Wound with Granulating Tissue

Aims Minimise dressing changes Relieve the pressure that caused the ulcer If increasing exudate then consider infection Maximise nutrition and hydration

Suggested dressing – Aquacel Place sheets in wound bed and cover with dry

dressing Cover dressing depends on wetness

Daily – Gauze; 2-3/7 – Alldress, 3-5/7 – Allevyn/Mepilex

Multiple layers of aquacel can minimise dressing changes

Change Aquacel when it has turned into a gel

Cellulitis Local infection of dermis and

subcutaneous tissue characterised by spreading redness, pain and swelling.

Monitor demarcation by marking and dating the skin

Consider systemic/topical antibiotics Use Mepitel on wound bed to reduce

surface pain Change every 7/7 or PRN

Sacral Ulcer

Remove/prevent pressure on area Observe for infection If problems with incontinence –

consider barrier cream i.e. Cavilon Sacral Shaped Tegasorb – dressing

of choice

Fold sacral dressing in half Pinch the fold to form a crease "Bookmarking"

Peel off the entire backing

Insert "bookmark" into the patient's fold, above the rectum and secure the dressing up the middle

Secure the dressing out the sides using the heat of your hand and slight

pressure to help it adhere

Slowly peel away the border while securing the tegaderm with your fingers

Applying a Sacral dressing

Clean Wound with Granulating Tissue

Remove/prevent pressure on affected area

Maximise nutrition and hydration Sugessted foam dressing such as

Mepilex Dressings can remain on wound for

7/7

Wound with Yellow Slough Stage X as wound bed cannot be visualised Pain management with dressing changes

2 options of treatment: Option 1 - cut silver dressing, such as Acticoat to fit into the

wound bed and moisten with sterile water. Cover with a light dressing (gauze and tape or  “island dressing” such as Alldress). Ensure daily that Acticoat dressing is moist. Change Acticoat 3/7.

Option 2 - Spread a thin layer of Iodosorb on a gauze and place in wound bed.Cover with island dressing (such as Alldress) or foam. Change dressing q 3 days, when Iodasorb changes to a creamy colour.

(NB) make sure patient doesn’t have thryroid issues—Iodosorb has iodine & contraindicated if thyroid condition or breast-feeding mother).

Diabetic/Neuropathic Ulcer Most common on plantar aspect of

foot,heels and over metatarsal heads Dry,warm, cracked, fissured skin,

thickened nails Usually no oedema/exudate Causes – peripheral neuropathy,arterial

insufficiency, poor microvascular circulation, inadequate blood glucose control

Treatment – debridement plus mepilex/Allevyn + Intrasite gel

Pressure Sores

Several factors that increase risk of developing a pressure sore: Mobility problems Poor nutrition Underlying health condition Age >70 yrs Urinary &/or bowel incontinence Serious mental health conditions

Treatment of Pressure Sores Changing position Mattresses and cushions Dressings Creams and ointments Antibiotics Nutrition Debridement Maggot therapy Surgery

Fistulae Abnormal communication between 2

hollow organs or between a hollow organ and the skin

Aetiology Anastomotic leaks Trauma - often iatrogenic post surgery Inflammatory bowel disease Malignancy Radiotherapy

Fistulae Types Rectovaginal/Rectovesical fistulas

Conservative/Surgical

Enterocutaneous fistulas Simple

Single orifice with intact abdominal wall Multiple

Multiple orifices in abdominal wall Disrupted

Fistula caused by dehiscence or surgical wound/scar

Imaging Important to determine anatomy of

fistula

Fistulography will define tract

Small bowel or barium enema will define state of intestine or distal obstruction

US and CT will define abscess cavities

Management of Fistulae• Usually conservative management - at least initially

- consisting of:• Skin protection

• Upper GI contents are very corrosive

• Correction of fluid and electrolyte loss• Require careful fluid balance & restoration of blood

volume

• Correction of acid-base imbalance• H2 Antagonist, proton pump inhibitor to reduce gastric

secretions• Somatostatin analogues (e.g. Octreotide) to reduce GI and

pancreatic secretions

Management of Fistulae Tissue viability review Nutritional support

Restrict oral intake and possibly an nasogastric tube Malnutrition corrected with either parenteral or enteral

nutrition Total parenteral nutrition given via Dacron-cuffed

tunneled feeding line Radiological screening to ensure tube in correct site Enteral nutrition can be given distal to fistula

Control of sepsis Abscess cavities should be drained Antibiotics

Enterocutaneous fistulas will not close if: There is total discontinuity of bowel

ends There is distal obstruction Chronic abscess cavity exists around

the site of the leak Mucocutaneous continuity has occurred

Fistulas are less likely to close if: They arise from disease intestine (e.g.

Crohn's Disease) They are end fistulae The patient is malnourished They are internal fistulas

60% will close in one month once sepsis has been controlled with conservative treatment

Mortality associated with fistula is still at least 10%

Surgery should be considered if fistula does not close by 30-40 days

Summary Fully assess area and cleanse thoroughly

Use appropriate dressing – if in doubt ask

Treat malodour

Be aware need of ongoing psychological support

Any Questions?

References Symptom Management in Advanced Cancer; (2009) Twycross,

Wilcock, Toller. http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://

www.lhsc.on.ca/Health_Professionals/Wound_Care/ Blowers A L  Irving M.  Enterocutaneous fistulas.  Surgery

1992; 10.2: 27 – 31 Dubrick S J,  Maharaj A R,  McKelvey A A.  Artificial nutritional

support in patients with gastrointestinal fistulas.  World J Surg 1999;  23:  570-576.

Mcintyre P B.  Management of enterocutaneous fistulas: a review of 132 cases.  Br J Surg  1984; 71: 293 -296.