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Local Wound Treatment in Pressure Ulcer Management

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Pressure Ulcers in the Aging Population

Part of the book series: Aging Medicine ((AGME,volume 1))

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Abstract

The specific treatment goals for a pressure ulcer involve a variety of modalities aimed at improving the local wound environment and promoting healing. A key component in pressure ulcer healing is maintaining a moist wound environment. Moisture occlusive dressings can be divided into broad categories of polymer films, polymer foams, hydrogels, hydrocolloids, alginates, and biomembranes. Advanced wound dressings are demonstrably more effective than traditional gauze dressings. Head-to-head comparison of various advanced dressings has not demonstrated any single superior product. Therefore, most local ulcer treatments should be chosen on the basis of specific wound characteristics, ease of use, and cost. Because of slow healing, a number of adjunctive modalities have been tried in the management of pressure ulcers. Few high-quality trials are available, but most trials have not produced remarkable benefits. Wound debridement is necessary for clinically infected wounds, but the usefulness of serial debridement is disputable. Surgical closure of a pressure ulcer depends on patient age and comorbid conditions, but in general has shown a high recurrence rate.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Geriatric Medicine, Saint Louis University, 1402 South Grand Blvd. M238, Saint Louis, MO, 63104, USA

    David R. Thomas M.D., F.A.C.P., A.G.S.F., G.S.A.F.

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  1. David R. Thomas M.D., F.A.C.P., A.G.S.F., G.S.A.F.
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Correspondence to David R. Thomas M.D., F.A.C.P., A.G.S.F., G.S.A.F. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Geriatric Medicine, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA

    David R. Thomas, MD

  2. Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care, Wound Care Consultant, Hospice Care of South Carolina, Johns Island, South Carolina, USA

    Gregory A. Compton, MD

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Thomas, D.R. (2014). Local Wound Treatment in Pressure Ulcer Management. In: Thomas, MD, D., Compton, MD, G. (eds) Pressure Ulcers in the Aging Population. Aging Medicine, vol 1. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-700-6_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-700-6_6

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