Honey and larvae in the treatment of foot gangrene: a reflection.

With the introduction of the Nursing and Midwifery Council's (NMC) (2015a) revalidation directive, nurses are required to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to providing safe and effective care by continually combining sound empirical evidence with reflective practice ( Sackett et al, 1996 ; Rolfe et al, 2011 ). Using Gibbs' (1998) model, I will reflect on an episode of care undertaken while I was on a recent placement. This reflective account will discuss the clinical use of honey and larvae therapy in the treatment of foot gangrene following meningococcal septicaemia. The psychosocial impact of ill health will also be considered. The use of newly acquired nursing skills and knowledge will be evaluated and the nurse-patient therapeutic relationship explored.

Técnica de momificación con clorhexidina en pie con gangrena húmeda / Mummification technique with chlorhexidine in a foot with humid gangrene

La necrosis, muerte celular de un tejido vivo, se produce por falta de aporte sanguíneo. En las extremidades inferiores esta falta de aporte sanguíneo puede dar lugar a una isquemia gangrenosa. En los casos de necrosis irreversibles puede usarse como técnica terapéutica la momificación, también llamada autoamputación. Se trata de una técnica sencilla y económica, pero que requiere de unos conocimientos previos. El objetivo es evitar la infección, evitar la humedad y limitar la lesión de la úlcera con curas con clorhexidina al 2%

Necrosis, the cellular death of a live tissue, occurs by lack of blood supply. In lower limbs, this lack of blood supply can lead to gangrenous ischemia. Mummification, also called self-amputation, can be used as therapeutic technique in cases of irreversible necrosis. This is a simple and economical technique, but it requires some previous training. The objective is to prevent infection, avoid humidity, and limit the ulcer lesion by using treatment with chlorhexidine 2%

Aplicación de Terapia V. A. C. ® en herida perineal tras intervención de Miles / V. A. C. ® Therapy Application on Perineum wound after a miles operation or miles resection

Primer galardonado con el Premio Terapia V.A.C.® 2009, en su tercera convocatoria, y en la modalidad de mejor caso clínico. Se aplica a una mujer joven, que padece obesidad (BMI: 39), y ha sido diagnosticada de carcinoma de recto mediante rectoscopia(AU)

Report rewarded with the V.A.C.® 2009 Therapy First Prize, as part of its third officially announced contest, in the discipline of best clinical case. This operation was carried out on a young woman who suffered from obesity (BMI:39) and who had been diagnosed by means of rectoscopy for colorectal carcinoma(AU)

Atención al paciente con úlceras arteriales / Treatment for patients who have arterial ulcers

Las úlceras arteriales se producen como consecuencia de una isquemia crónica de las extremidades inferiores. Ello produce una disminución progresiva y lenta del flujo sanguíneo y del aporte de oxígeno a los miembros inferiores. El síntoma principal consiste en la claudicación intermitente (dolor muscular durante la deambulación que cesa con el reposo), pero cuando aparecen los síntomas generalmente la enfermedad ya está avanzada y el abordaje se basa fundamentalmente en tratamiento quirúrgico, farmacológico y local o, lo que es lo mismo, cura de la úlcera. A continuación se expone un breve procedimiento sobre diagnóstico, tratamiento y prevención de las úlceras arteriales(AU)

Arterial ulcers are produced due to chronic ischemia in lower limbs. This causes a progressive, slow decrease in blood flow and oxygen supply to lower limbs. The main symptom consists of an intermittent claudication, or muscle pain while walking which ceases upon resting, but, when these symptoms appear, this wound usually is advanced and medical professionals basically use surgical, pharmaceutical and local treatments to cure this ulcer. In this article, the author presents a guide to diagnosis, treatment and prevention of arterial ulcers(AU)

Meleney's synergistic gangrene: a case study.

Meleney's synergistic gangrene is caused by S aureus and streptococcus organisms. One of the identifying symptoms is the presence of extremely painful lesions, which usually form in the second week after surgery or minor trauma. The ulcers that form at the center of the lesion are usually covered by a black eschar and encircled by a gangrenous margin. With knowledge of the pathophysiology and characteristics of this process, nurses can aid in the recognition of this unexpected complication. Nursing interventions can be planned around the needs of these patients. The key to recovery is early identification of the infection and prompt treatment.