We are often asked how to best apply Enluxtra dressing on wounds with such complications as cavities, tunnels (sinus tract), undermining, as well as fistulae.
Our Clinical Director Vicki Fischenich offers an expert advice.
(New to Enluxtra? Click for FREE SAMPLES .)
Our Clinical Director Vicki Fischenich offers an expert advice.
(New to Enluxtra? Click for FREE SAMPLES .)
Causes and prevention
Common cause of wound tunneling is infection of the underlying tissues. Infections could be of cutaneous origin or from deeper structures, such as bone in cases of osteomyelitis. Undermining, on the other hand, is usually the result of shear force when the patient is being moved or transferred, or sliding in resting position.
Treating the causes of these types of complications should be one of the first priorities: treating infection, offloading, exercising careful patient handling. It’s important to properly lift the patient with an existing wound rather than use dragging or pulling motions to avoid shear forces when transferring or repositioning them. Follow up with offloading the wound site as much as possible for faster healing.
Common cause of wound tunneling is infection of the underlying tissues. Infections could be of cutaneous origin or from deeper structures, such as bone in cases of osteomyelitis. Undermining, on the other hand, is usually the result of shear force when the patient is being moved or transferred, or sliding in resting position.
Treating the causes of these types of complications should be one of the first priorities: treating infection, offloading, exercising careful patient handling. It’s important to properly lift the patient with an existing wound rather than use dragging or pulling motions to avoid shear forces when transferring or repositioning them. Follow up with offloading the wound site as much as possible for faster healing.
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Treating complicated wounds
Here’s an example of a typical wound with undermining. Enluxtra dressing has been used to remove the black eschar scab and now the challenge is applying Enluxtra on this wound so slough continues to come off and the wound flattens out and heals. |
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Below is the strategy suggested by our clinicians:
1. FILL THE WOUND WITH A PROPER PACKING MATERIAL
The purpose of filling a cavity, tunnel, sinus tract, etc. is to transfer exudate and slough away from the wound into Enluxtra dressing (where it will be reliably locked in) and it is VERY important to avoid dead space (voids) that may create further wound complications: seromas, or the upper part of wound closing on the surface and leaving an open space underneath.
One of the critical considerations is selecting a product that retains its shape even when moist so it can stay in contact with the undersurface of Enluxtra dressing.
Any product selected as a filler material must not shrink or decrease in size in the moist wound environment that may cause it to retract back from Enluxtra dressing. This situation often leads to maceration, foul odor; stalling of wound progress, wound decline.
Any filler material made of cellulose fiber (such as an alginate or Aquacel Ag or honey alginate) SHOULD BE AVOIDED.
The purpose of filling a cavity, tunnel, sinus tract, etc. is to transfer exudate and slough away from the wound into Enluxtra dressing (where it will be reliably locked in) and it is VERY important to avoid dead space (voids) that may create further wound complications: seromas, or the upper part of wound closing on the surface and leaving an open space underneath.
One of the critical considerations is selecting a product that retains its shape even when moist so it can stay in contact with the undersurface of Enluxtra dressing.
Any product selected as a filler material must not shrink or decrease in size in the moist wound environment that may cause it to retract back from Enluxtra dressing. This situation often leads to maceration, foul odor; stalling of wound progress, wound decline.
Any filler material made of cellulose fiber (such as an alginate or Aquacel Ag or honey alginate) SHOULD BE AVOIDED.
We suggest that the caregiver fill the undermining spaces, tunnels or cavities with regular or AMD gauze using a Q-tip or a similar tool. It is important not to overstuff these spaces, just lightly place the gauze so it reaches the farthest points.
2. CREATE EXTRA WICKING SURFACE
Bring the end piece of gauze out and spread it across the periwound to create as much surface area that will touch the undersurface of Enluxtra dressing. This will aid in wicking even more exudate away from the wound (including its undermining parts) and transferring it into the Enluxtra dressing. The gauze spread across the periwound must be covered completely by Enluxtra with a 1” overlap onto the healthy skin. Be sure that the removal of the dressing is done before drainage reaches the dressing edge.
3. ENSURE FULL CONTACT
Apply Enluxtra dressing and ensure that its undersurface is in FULL CONTACT with the packing material and with any areas of the wound that are not covered with gauze, especially sloughy parts. This will expedite the removal of non-vital tissue from the wound.
4. CHANGE THE DRESSING MORE OFTEN INITIALLY
Change Enluxtra dressing and wound filler every 2-3 days until the wound is clear of slough and non-vital tissue. Then gradually increase the time between changes to up to 5-7 days, depending on the exudate level.
Apply Enluxtra dressing and ensure that its undersurface is in FULL CONTACT with the packing material and with any areas of the wound that are not covered with gauze, especially sloughy parts. This will expedite the removal of non-vital tissue from the wound.
4. CHANGE THE DRESSING MORE OFTEN INITIALLY
Change Enluxtra dressing and wound filler every 2-3 days until the wound is clear of slough and non-vital tissue. Then gradually increase the time between changes to up to 5-7 days, depending on the exudate level.
5. DO NOT FORGET ABOUT PROPER NUTRITION
Another important thing to keep in mind is making sure the patient’s nutrition is adequate. Wounds like this consume a lot of calories, therefore the patient’s caloric requirements may be higher.
Below you can see Enluxtra dressing application in a recent case of deep tissue injury that progressed to unstageable wound with black necrotic tissue and then to an open wound with undermining (now completely healed!):
Another important thing to keep in mind is making sure the patient’s nutrition is adequate. Wounds like this consume a lot of calories, therefore the patient’s caloric requirements may be higher.
Below you can see Enluxtra dressing application in a recent case of deep tissue injury that progressed to unstageable wound with black necrotic tissue and then to an open wound with undermining (now completely healed!):
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REVIEW THE SUMMARY OF THE CORRECT APPLICATION TECHNIQUES IN THE SHORT VIDEO BELOW:
Tell us about your experience with Enluxtra! Are you treating a challenging wound? Do you need some advice? Our help line is open: call 888-519-2297 and use extension 7 for clinical support.
To self-educate, check out our mini-tutorials, attend a live clinical webinar, take a basic application mini-course, or, if you’re extra-ambitious, get certified!
If you are new to ENLUXTRA, do not forget to order professional FREE SAMPLES!
Read other posts in our blog.
To self-educate, check out our mini-tutorials, attend a live clinical webinar, take a basic application mini-course, or, if you’re extra-ambitious, get certified!
If you are new to ENLUXTRA, do not forget to order professional FREE SAMPLES!
Read other posts in our blog.
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