Does Hydrosurgery Facilitate Better Skin Graft Success?
By Lauren A. Grant, Editorial Assistant A recent study finds the use of hydrosurgical debridement in wound bed preparation has a significant impact in promoting wound closure with skin grafts. The study, recently published in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, involved 167 wounds for 155 patients. The study authors used hydrosurgical debridement on large wounds or small wounds which had not progressed with absorbent dressings. Researchers found hydrosurgery (Versajet, Smith & Nephew) allowed for successful engraftment after immediate skin grafting in all but 5 percent of the debrided wounds. The authors associated the improved results to the use of hydrosurgery as it more adequately removed necrotic tissue and contaminants than the absorbent dressings. While hydrosurgery could be perceived as expensive in comparison to more conventional methods of wound bed preparation, Lee C. Rogers, DPM, believes it is effective, efficient and can help reduce potential comp
