Essential Facts About Pulse Lavage

By Paulette Short


Proper cleansing and debridement of an open wound is a vital part of wound care management. It facilitates the healing process, and prevents infections from occurring due to bacteria and other foreign bodies that may use the wound as a portal of entry. Research has been conducted on a method of debridement referred to as pulse lavage, where the wound is cleaned with water, unlike traditional methods that require keeping the area dry.

There are many reasons a person may develop a wound. For instance, bed sores may afflict those who are immobile or nursing home residents who cannot leave their beds to exercise or participate in other activities. Other types of wounds may be the result of unfortunate incidents such as burns or cuts.

Pulse lavage is a term that describes the irrigation of a wound through a process that involves delivering a water-based solution to the area. This is usually completed under a particular degree of pressure, and an electric device is typically what is used to transport the solution to the area. The irrigation causes simultaneous pressure to be applied to the wound and is followed with suction, which in turn transports the solution away from the area. This cleansing technique eradicates infectious agents and debris from the surface of the wound.

Delivering suction and irrigation simultaneously is also possible. With this technique, the water irrigates one section of the area, while suctioning is performed on another section of the wound. However, for very small wounds, this technique may be challenging to implement.

This kind of cleaning and debridement technique is known by many different names. The latter include pulsatile, jet, or mechanical lavage, as well as "high pressure irrigation". All refer to the same procedure. Plain water may be used as the irrigation solution, or other substances may be added according to what the patient's physician, surgeon, or wound care specialist thinks is best.

This kind of cleansing method is also used by the military. Debriding and cleaning contaminated wounds sustained in combat with this technique was determined to be one of the best options for such patients. In fact, it was during the 1960s that this kind of technique was first used, and it was conducted on military patients initially, and then civilians. Although its safety and effectiveness are still being studied, it is now a universally accepted method of wound cleansing.

This technique is associated with different irrigation pressure levels. Some clinical researchers claim that only low-pressure should be applied when irrigating a wound, while other state that high-pressure irrigation is not any more dangerous than the aforementioned pressure. The level of pressure used will depend on the severity of the wound, as well as the advice of the patient's attending physician. In addition, research has indicated that the tissue surrounding the injury will be protected from foreign bodies, such as bacteria, following pressurized irrigation.

It is likely that pulse lavage will be used for many years to come on numerous patients. More studies are being conducted in order to fine tune the techniques used. Anyone suffering from a wound should consider speaking to his or her primary care practitioner about this cleansing method.




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