Volume 33 Number 4

This edition brings together papers that showcase the evolving landscape of wound care; from diagnostic tools and therapies to care delivery models. What these contributions share is the understanding that excellence in wound management requires both clinical expertise and a willingness to adopt new approaches that improve patient outcomes.

This issue features two case reports that demonstrate the value of early detection and advanced intervention in complex wound scenarios. Astrada et al present an interesting application of point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) in detecting gas gangrene within a closed diabetic foot ulcer before visible tissue damage occurred. Their 61-year-old patient presented with pain and swelling, and ultrasonographic images revealed extensive subcutaneous gas gangrene extending to the Achilles tendon and calf—yet no outward tissue damage was visible at that stage. The early detection enabled by POCUS allowed for prompt debridement and antibiotic therapy, potentially preventing substantial tissue loss. The second case by Lauryn and Suryadi describes the successful management of severe postoperative complications in a 54-year-old man with abdominal tuberculosis. Following surgery, the patient developed deep wound dehiscence and an enterocutaneous fistula. The strategic application of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) followed by split-thickness skin graft (STSG) achieved notable results, with 95% wound healing within 46 days of initiating treatment.

Somboonchokephisal’s meta-analysis provides important insights into beta-glucan as a potential adjunctive therapy for wound healing. Beta-glucan is a natural polysaccharide known to promote immune cell activation and tissue repair. The systematic review examined its impact on both chronic and acute wounds, finding a twofold increase in healing rates at 12 weeks with topical beta-glucan application to chronic wounds. These findings suggest that beta-glucan may be useful in addressing the persistent inflammatory state of chronic wounds. The final paper by Binkanen et al assesses patient and caregiver satisfaction with virtual wound care services in Saudi Arabia, offering valuable insights into telehealth adoption in wound management. The study revealed significantly higher satisfaction among patients compared to caregivers. Caregivers raised important concerns regarding accessibility and communication, highlighting the need for targeted support and training. As telehealth becomes increasingly integrated into chronic disease management and wound care, this study underscores that successful implementation requires attention not only to technology but also to the diverse needs of all stakeholders involved in wound care, including carers.

An evidence summary from WHAM completes the issue, focused on silicone sheeting for healing hypertrophic scars. The authors determine that silicone gel sheeting might be used to reduce pain and scar severity of existing hypertrophic scars. Clinical decisions should consider the severity of the individual’s signs and symptoms, their personal preferences, ability to adhere to the treatment regimen and scar characteristics.

We hope this issue encourages you to consider how these innovations might be integrated into your own practice and research. We look forward to receiving your submissions for future issues as we continue building the evidence base for excellence in wound management.

Author(s)

Peta Tehan and Zlatko Kopecki
Editors, Wound Practice and Research