Stevenson TR, Thacker JG, Rodeheaver GT, Bacchetta C, Edgerton MT, Edlich RF, et al.
JACEP. Date of publication 1976 Jan 1;volume 5(1):17-21.
1. JACEP. 1976 Jan;5(1):17-21.
Cleansing the traumatic wound by high pressure syringe irrigation.
Stevenson TR, Thacker JG, Rodeheaver GT, Bacchetta C, Edgerton MT, Edlich RF.
The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the fluid dynamics of
syringe irrigation on the efficacy of wound cleansing and the infection rate of
experimental wounds. The pressure experienced by a surface following wound
irrigation was directly proportional to the pressure within the syringe and the
size of the needle. High pressure syringe irrigation effectively removed bacteria
from the surface of the wound. This reduction in the wound bacterial count
resulted in a decrease in the infection rate of tissues. Low pressure irrigation
with an asepto syringe did not significantly cleanse the wound of its bacterial
contaminants and had no demonstrable clinical merit. On the basis of these
studies, high pressure syringe irrigation is being employed routinely in our
emergency department for the care of traumatic wounds.
PMID: 933383 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
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