Effectiveness of a monofilament wound debridement pad at removing biofilm and slough: ex vivo and clinical performance.

OBJECTIVE: Removal of slough and other devitalised tissue is an important step in biofilm-based wound care (BBWC) and wound bed preparation. Debridement is key to management of both slough and biofilm, and a number of methods are available to achieve this, including surgical/sharp and mechanical debridement. Developments have led to products indicated for debridement of wounds, including a sterile pad consisting of monofilament fibres. Our aim is to examine the effectiveness of a monofilament wound debridement pad (WDP), Debrisoft.

METHOD: We assessed the WDP, in laboratory tests, for the removal of mature biofilm from porcine dermal tissue in an ex vivo model, and the clinical management of sloughy wounds that would benefit from debridement. We used the UPPER score to determine the superficial infection status.

RESULTS: The WDP was effective in removing biofilm from porcine dermal tissue. A case series of 10 patients with chronic wounds suggested that the WDP was beneficial in the removal of slough. All chronic wounds had slough and were cleaned weekly, for four weeks, using the MDP to achieve improved healing and a clean wound bed. The average wound size decreased from 8.09cm2 at baseline to 2.3cm2 at week four, with three wounds healed completely. Exudate was reduced, and the UPPER score improved in every patient.

CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the WDP effectively debrides biofilm and slough, and contributes to care that follows the principles of wound bed preparation and BBWC.