What is pulsed lavage?

What is pulsed lavage?

Pulsed lavage, or pulsatile jet lavage, is a form of mechanical hydrotherapy that uses a pressurized, pulsed solution to irrigate and debride wounds of necrotic tissue. In most cases, suction is used with pulsed lavage to remove both wound debris and irrigation solution.

What is a Pulsavac used for?

Ideal for use in the operating room and orthopedic surgeries, the Pulsavac Plus effectively cleans bone cement debris during total joint procedures.

How do you use Bactisure?

Apply just prior to wound closure using Zimmer Biomet Pulsavac® Plus or similar pulsed lavage system. Immediately rinse with an equal amount of normal saline using pulsed lavage. Not intended for repeated use. Not indicated for use during dressing changes or for use by soaking the product into dressings.

When do you irrigate a wound?

Wounds should be irrigated every time you change the dressing. Wounds should also be irrigated upon initial assessment, as this will allow you to more fully and accurately assess the wound.

What is a disadvantage of using pulsatile lavage for wound care?

Pulsed lavage can be painful. Pulsed lavage is not without its disadvantages. Like any technique that directly impacts the wound, it can cause pain. Analgesics are often administered prior to the procedure.

When should you not irrigate a wound?

Irrigation may not be necessary for certain highly vascular areas such as the scalp. [5] Wounds with fistulas or sinuses with unknown depth should undergo careful evaluation before irrigation is performed to avoid forcing bacteria and debris containing fluids further into the wound or other body spaces.

What is the most appropriate wound flushing solution?

Sterile normal saline is the most commonly used irrigating solution. Due to its physiologic nature, it is always safe to use in wounds. However, it does not contain any surfactants (found in commercial wound cleansers) which are more effective at lifting bacteria and debris from the wound or periwound area.

What is the difference between lavage and irrigation?

Irrigation can be undertaken prior to wound closure or postoperatively. Intracavity lavage is a similar technique used in operations that expose a bodily cavity; such as procedures on the abdominal cavity and during joint replacement surgery.

Is pulse lavage an excisional debridement?

The pulsed lavage digressive debridement is considered nonsurgical mechanical debridement. It does not involve cutting away or excising devitalized tissue. In pulsed lavage, an irrigating solution (or irrigant) is delivered under pressure along with suction.

How do you know if a wound has biofilm?

When wound progress becomes stagnant for about 3-4 weeks, you should be suspicious of a biofilm colony. Many times biofilms are not seen. They are microscopic, but can present themselves as a shiny film. There are no signs and symptoms of infection.