International wound journal
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A prospective randomised controlled clinical trial comparing hydrosurgery debridement with conventional surgical debridement in lower extremity ulcers.
Debridement of devitalised tissue is an essential component of the effective treatment of chronic wounds. The Versajet Hydrosurgery System is a new technology that simultaneously cuts and aspirates soft tissue. In this study we compared Versajet with conventional surgical techniques in the debridement of lower extremity ulcers to assess impact on time and resources for debridement. ⋯ Overall, clinical efficacy of the shorter debridement procedure was similar: median time to wound closure 71 days (Versajet) vs. 74 days (conventional) (P= 0.733). We found Versajet to be quicker than conventional debridement in the debridement of lower extremity ulcers without compromising wound healing. Potential cost savings were identified from the use of VERSAJET through the shorter debridement time allowing more patients to be treated in the same operating schedule.