Wound Management

How to Manage Cavity Wounds with Wound Fillers

Wound management is not a one-size-fits-all. What type of wound are you dealing with? The identification and assessment of each wound needs to be done accurately in order to be the first step down the healing path. Often, inappropriate wound management ends up being costly for patients and care facilities alike.

Cavity wounds pose unique challenges to caregivers and patients since there really is no standard definition of what a cavity wound is. They can be difficult to assess or measure, therefore leading to misidentification, improper care, and management. Once properly identified, cavity wounds can benefit from wound fillers as a method of treatment. Wound fillers are non-adherent options for managing cavity wounds that maintain a moist wound bed and manage exudate. Visit HPFY for all your wound care needs, as well as wound fillers for cavity wounds. 

Assessing Cavity Wounds 

So, what needs to be determined when creating a cavity wound management plan? These types of wounds can be complex and often require a specialist clinician to treat them. This first step of treatment often requires a comprehensive assessment that includes: 

• Maintaining a moist wound bed 
• Wound debridement (removal of debris and/or infected or dead tissue in the wound) 
• Absorbing/controlling exudate 
• Preventing infection 
• Pain-free application/removal of dressings and wound packings 

Your wound management plan should assess, measure, and document the wound progression during the healing process. At this time, it is important to monitor your wound for any signs of infection and the volume of wound exudate. The care for cavity wounds requires an in-depth understanding that follows best practices and evidence-based management for these types of wounds. This multifaceted approach requires the following: 

• Understanding the cause/types of shallow and deep cavity wounds 
• Recognizing the potential hidden nature of cavity wounds 
• Identifying presentations of different cavity wounds 
• Determining wound location, dimensions, exudate, tissue type, etc. 
• Identifying factors that could impede healing 

Failure to manage cavity wounds properly can lead to delayed healing and an increased risk of associated complications such as infection. This can cause an increase in a provider's time demands plus an increased cost for health services. Not only will improper management increase healing time, but may cost patients more money and negatively impact their quality of life. 

Types of Shallow and Deep Cavity Wounds 

Okay, so what exactly is a cavity wound? A cavity can exist in most wound etiologies, including chronic wounds, traumatic wounds, and surgical wounds. These can include: 

• Pressure ulcers 
• Diabetic foot ulcers 
• Stabbings 
• Gunshots 
• Wound dehiscence 

Malnutrition can also result in a poor wound-healing environment. The first step in properly managing cavity wounds is identifying the cause of any chronic wound and any associated cavity to ensure proper assessment and management. 

Managing Cavity Wounds 

Management of cavity wounds can include specialist clinicians such as surgeons, stoma nurses, radiographers, and nutritional support teams. Your cavity wound plan may include: 

1. Wound debridement (if applicable)

The use of antiseptic surfactants and debridement products that fit inside the cavity can help with cleansing the wound. 

2. Absorb and control exudate

Packing cavity wounds should be done gently, and dressings such as Tegaderm hydrogel should be dressed firmly but not too tight. Packing cavity wounds too tight can restrict blood flow and hinder healing. 

3. Periwound skin protection

The prevention of maceration is achieved by preventing the exudate from leaking from the cavity onto the surrounding skin. This can be achieved by using an appropriate primary dressing and/or a secondary dressing that is non-traumatic on removal. 

4. Keep a moist wound bed

Using filler gels or a hydrogel wound filler can maintain a moist wound environment that promotes healing. Dry wounds can increase the chance of infection and chronic wound infection by allowing bacteria to accumulate. 

5. Infection prevention

Not only does a moist wound deter bacteria accumulation, but a proactive infection intervention using a topical antimicrobial dressing that doesn’t leave residual fibers in the wound cavity. 

Managing cavity wounds can be a team effort. The use of wound fillers to create a healthy, moist wound bed can expedite healing without adhering to the wound itself. You can find all your wound care needs at HPFY as well as wound filler gels, hydrogel wound fillers, and any dressing you might need. 

Wound Fillers for Cavity Wounds

Author Profile: Kevin Cleary

Reviewed by: Christine Kijek, Registered Colorectal Nurse on August 7, 2024

 

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