Surgical and Non-Surgical Techniques
Chronic wounds are injuries or sores that don’t heal in the normal amount of time. While most wounds begin to heal in a few weeks, chronic wounds can last for months or even years. These types of wounds may be caused by conditions like diabetes, poor circulation, or pressure on the skin from sitting or lying in one position too long.
Chronic wounds can be difficult to heal for several reasons. Sometimes, the body’s healing process is slowed down due to poor blood flow, which means the wound doesn't get the oxygen and nutrients it needs. Other times, infection, tissue damage, or long-term health problems can prevent the wound from closing properly. It can take extra care and special treatments to help chronic wounds heal and avoid complications.
Described below are some of the methods Dr. de Roulet may utilize to treat these wounds:
- Debridement (Removing Dead Tissue)
- What It Is: This is a process where your surgeon removes dead or infected tissue from the wound. It helps the body focus on healing the healthy tissue.
- Why It’s Important: By removing the unhealthy tissue, the wound can start to heal properly, and it helps prevent infection.
- Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT)
- What It Is: This treatment uses a vacuum device to help promote healing. A special dressing is placed on the wound, and a pump creates a gentle suction to pull fluid out of the wound, reduce swelling, and encourage the growth of new tissue.
- Why It’s Important: NPWT helps large or complicated wounds heal faster, reduces the risk of infection, and can make the wound close more quickly.
- Skin Grafting
- What It Is: This is a surgery where healthy skin from another part of your body is used to cover the wound.
- Why It’s Important: Skin grafting helps close large or deep wounds that aren't healing with other treatments. It also helps reduce scarring and protects the wound from infections.
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
- What It Is: This treatment involves breathing in pure oxygen in a special chamber. The air pressure inside the chamber is higher than normal, which helps your body take in more oxygen.
- How It Works: The extra oxygen helps your blood deliver more oxygen to the wound, promoting healing and fighting infection. This is particularly useful for wounds that aren't healing well due to poor blood flow, like diabetic ulcers.
- Why It’s Important: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can speed up the healing process, reduce swelling, and fight infections, especially in hard-to-heal wounds.