Pulse lavage is a kind of mechanical hydrotherapy using saline solution to cleanse or debride wounds. This solution used is pressurized to effectively irrigate and remove wound debris and necrotic tissues. Most of the time, this is used with suction to get rid of the solution used. This procedure is done in a variety of clinical settings for patients with different types of wounds.
Wound cleaning is very important for obvious reasons. These must be properly managed so that the patient can begin with the healing process. Proper management also reduces the risk for infection. Necrotic tissues and bacteria must be removed from the wound bed to make way for the healing process. This way, open wounds can gradually repair and completely heal.
The purpose of this method is to help granulation tissues grow. For this to take place, debris found on the wound should be eliminated without causing harm to normal underlying tissues. The suction also produces negative pressure which stimulates granulation tissues. Trained practitioners are the ones to perform the procedure using specialized instruments.
When performing this technique, practitioners can adjust the pressure they use depending on the extent of necrotic tissue to be removed. The instrument used may be adjusted to have the right amount of force for the lavage. Those who are performing the procedure should check if pain is felt by the person in order to make adjustments as needed.
In the event that the patient has pain, analgesics can also be administered. Prior to the procedure, application of topical analgesic solution may be necessary as well. Patients who are likely to experience pain during the process can be given pain medications half an hour before the procedure. If there are signs of infection, antibiotics can also be added.
In this case, the bag of saline solution should be warmed to help make the healing process faster. Physiologically, the wound bed may cool down which can slow down healing. To counteract this effect, it is advised to warm the saline solution before application. With this procedure done, patients can have better wound healing as the site becomes free of debris, tissue, and organisms.
This procedure costs less compared to other methods. For this reason, this is practiced in many clinical settings. This may be performed as bedside care in hospitals, long term care facilities, outpatient departments, physical therapy settings, and small clinics. Patients who need daily or weekly wound care can undergo this procedure. This can be performed as prescribed or whenever necessary.
Since this procedure is done numerous times for different patients, devices are now designed specifically for this purpose. There are many precision instruments available today intended for wound cleaning. These tools can remove bacteria, necrotic tissue, and foreign materials effectively. Although these are primarily used for wound care, these are also used during orthopedic surgeries to debride bone surfaces.
Healing is of utmost importance for any patient with a condition. When dealing with wounds, one significant procedure is pulse lavage which helps promote better healing. Patients would require effective methods that would manage their condition. With experienced practitioners performing this procedure, this can be done correctly thereby allowing faster recovery of the patient.
