SURGICAL CLEANSING

In some pathological conditions parts of tissue do not bleed and die. Dead parts often require surgical removal, which in some cases can be done at home, at the patient’s bedside.

The most common of these cases are pressure ulcers (bedsores) that occur in people with disturbed tissue nutrition, hypoalbuminemia and limited mobility, which deprives them of the ability to consciously or unconsciously (during sleep) change position during lying down. 

Dead tissue is identified by its black color and only needs to be removed when there is a wound (ulcer) around it that is oozing serous fluid. 

Dead bodies that are dry do not need to be removed, as they are the natural “pad” that the organism itself has created. 

New tissue is created under a dry dead skin, and the dead skin falls off when new healthy skin has formed underneath.

After the surgical debridement, instructions are given for the correct treatment, in order to facilitate the creation of new tissue and the final covering of the ulcer with scar tissue.

Factors that contribute to the healing of a decubitus ulcer are:

• Removal of necromata (surgical debridement).
• Daily removal of serous secretions with sodium chloride solution.
• Prevention of microbial contamination in areas adjacent to the perineal area (fecal contamination).
• Ensuring the patient is well nourished and raising total blood proteins and albumin. 
• Avoiding prolonged pressure on the site (use of an air mattress, frequent position changes).

The best treatment is prevention.

The use of an air mattress to prevent decubitus should be done (even for a short time), IMMEDIATELY as soon as the patient is unable to change positions in bed by himself when lying down.