Quick Guide: Solventum™ V.A.C.® Peel and Place Dressing Kit
Overview of V.A.C.® Therapy 3M™ V.A.C.® Therapy is an integrated wound management system designed and clinically shown to create an environment that promotes wound healing, helping to reduce hospital stays and the risk of complications.7,8 It delivers the prescribed, programmed level of negative pressure consistently to support optimal outcomes. Building on this legacy, the new […]
From evidence to practice: Strategies for streamlining wound care implementation across settings
This series of articles began by identifying clinical inertia as a fundamental obstacle to evidence-based practice (Atkin and Probst, 2025a), then explored behavioural change strategies that address the psychological and structural factors influencing clinical decision-making (Atkin and Probst, 2025b), before showing how empowering generalist clinicians could enable confident, timely action without requiring specialist-level expertise. Recent […]
Acute skin failure?
A cute skin failure has been described by dermatologists as a life-threatening condition with loss of massive amounts of skin. Many of the diseases that could classified as “acute skin failure” in the past now have different names, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythroderma, extensive burns, generalised pustular psoriasis or exfoliative dermatitis. These diseases have known […]
How heart health contributes to wound care
You notice the bandage more than the heartbeat. That’s how it usually goes. The ache on your leg or the sore on your foot gets your attention because it’s visible, painful and persistent. But the heartbeat, the one you barely register until a nurse puts a cuff on your arm, may be the real reason […]
Top ten tips: Atypical wounds
1 Bullous pemphigoid is blistering between the epidermis and dermis. Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune disease in which antibodies are formed against collagen in the hemidesmosomes of the basement membrane. The response is both inflammatory and immune, with release of cytokines from the T- cells leading to complement activation, recruitment of neutrophils (acute inflammatory cells) and […]
A comparative usability study of a novel gradient compression system versus current compression garments
Under normal physiological conditions, the valves in the venous system play a vital role in ensuring proper blood circulation. They guide blood from the superficial veins, which lie closer to the skin’s surface, into the deeper venous system facilitating efficient return of blood to the heart despite the force of gravity. However, various medical conditions […]
Mechanistic insights and international use cases of continuous topical oxygen therapy in wound management
A new pressure ulcer risk assessment scale for intensive care patients
Patients in intensive care units (ICUs) are at high risk of developing pressure ulcers/injuries (PUs/PIs). The DecubICUs study, involving 13,254 patients across 1,117 ICUs in 90 countries, found a prevalence of 26.6% and an incidence of 16.2% (Labeau et al, 2021). PUs have a multifactorial aetiology and dozens of risk indicators have been identified (Coleman […]
Corticosteroids and wound healing: A literature review
Wound healing is a dynamic and intricate biological process initiated by the body to restore damaged tissue (Gonzalez et al, 2016), regulated by various cellular and molecular mediators, including platelets, neutrophils, keratinocytes, and interleukins (Werner and Grose, 2003). The interaction between these various cell types and cytokines ensures proper progression along the wound-healing trajectory (Mahmoud […]
Body image in individuals with intestinal ostomy
A colostomy or ileostomy is a surgically created opening on the abdomen to divert the flow of faeces (Swan, 2011) . The most common aetiology resulting in stoma formation includes inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), malignancy and trauma (Melotti et al, 2013). Depending on the aetiology, stoma creation can be temporary or permanent, and results in […]
Effective management of pembrolizumab-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis in a breast cancer patient using a silver foam dressing: A case report
Implementation of evidence-based dressings in the management of complex wounds: A case series from Portugal
Wounds have burdened patients and their caregivers since the dawn of humankind (Wernick et al, 2023). They cause a significant economic burden due to their direct and indirect costs (Gupta et al, 2021). Wound healing is an intricate process that proceeds through the clearly defined, and overlapping sequence of the phases of wound healing (Avishai […]
Does e-learning have an effect on gaining increased knowledge and better treatment in wound care?
This article is based on a questionnaire survey carried out at Svendborg Hospital (part of Odense University Hospital) in years of 2020-2022. Svendborg Hospital is a small hospital in southern Denmark located approximately 40 km south of Odense. It has been named the best small hospital of the year in Denmark in 2024 by the […]
Digest 16-4
In this section, we present brief synopses of a range of recently published articles that may be of interest to healthcare professionals working in the wound care setting. The aim of this round-up is to provide an overview, rather than a detailed summary and critique, of the research papers selected. Full references are provided should […]
Incision care and dressing selection in surgical wounds: Findings from a consensus meeting of orthopedics in China
The management of surgical incisions is a critical component of perioperative infection control and wound healing, supporting optimal patient recovery. This is particularly relevant in orthopaedic and joint surgery where unique incision sites, procedural complexity and variability in patient baseline conditions demand more rigorous dressing selection and management strategies. Additionally, the use of metal implants […]
Retrospective case series: Skin protection and wound management
A pressure injury occurs when persistent pressure, or a combination of pressure and shear, damages the skin and underlying tissue, typically over bony prominences. Injuries can range in severity from intact skin with non-blanchable erythema (Stage I) to full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone, tendon or muscle (Stage IV). The severity of injury is influenced […]
Advancing Wound Hygiene as a standard protocol for hard-to-heal wounds in APAC and Turkey: Findings from an international meeting
Introduction Wound Hygiene is a simple, effective concept designed as a protocol of care to support the healing of hard-to-heal wounds while addressing barriers to healing, particularly biofilm (Murphy et al, 2020). The principle is simple: just as daily hygiene practices, like washing hands and brushing teeth maintain personal health, regular application of Wound Hygiene […]
Understanding artificial intelligence: Barriers and potential in wound care
The global wound burden is rising at an alarming pace due to increases in the ageing population and comorbidities and complications, such as obesity, diabetes and complex surgeries (Sen, 2021; Chen et al, 2024; Reifs et al, 2025). The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates there will be a global shortage of 18 million healthcare professionals […]
When enough is enough
I presume that I, like you, went into medical care to help patients. Sometimes the help was to cure their disease, sometimes it was to help them improve their quality of life with life-limiting disease and sometimes it was to help them have a dignified and peaceful death. Over the years, I have worked with […]
Management of wounds in Russo-Ukrainian War: challenges and clinical experiences from the Superhumans Center
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has created a surge in complex combat-related injuries, necessitating advanced multidisciplinary treatment approaches to trauma management (Kazmirchuk et al, 2022). The scarcity of resources and qualified medical personnel, the fast-changing nature of contemporary warfare, the emergence of new types of weaponry and war tactics and disrupted logistics have presented unique […]
Ten top tips: Surgical release and splinting of burn scar contractures
1 – Prevention of contracture is keyProper management of the acute burn limits the need for secondary contracture release. While not eliminating this need for eventual scar release, early excision and grafting has been shown to improve acute burn survival, outcomes, and need for revision (Mosier and Gibran, 2009). Supplemental therapies, such as physical therapy, early […]
OMO bath: a cost-effective enzymatic wound debridement method in resource-limited settings
Debridement is an essential component of wound bed preparation, defined as the process of eliminating non-viable, necrotic or infected tissues and foreign bodies from a wound. This promotes granulation, epithelialisation and eventually wound healing. Surgical and sharp debridement are still seen as the gold standard for wound debridement. Surgical debridement cuts back into healthy bleeding […]
Management of wounds of various aetiologies with Technology Lipido-Colloid Mesh with Silver Sulphate(TLC-Ag) dressing
The skin is the largest organ in the body and serves numerous functions, including acting as a physical, chemical and microbiological barrier to protect the host as the first line of defence against external pathogens (Nguyen and Soulika, 2019; Chambers and Vukmanovic; Stejic, 2020). Any break in this protective barrier allows the invasion of a […]
The role of artificial intelligence in wound care: applications, evidence and future directions
Artificial Intelligence (AI) represents a fundamental shift in computing, moving from systems that follow fixed instructions to those that improve performance by processing data, identifying patterns, and adjusting outputs accordingly. At its most basic level, AI attempts to replicate aspects of human intelligence through computational methods, including pattern recognition, learning from experience, and making decisions […]
Comparison of the light transmission in protecting films used in laser photodynamic therapy
Since the invention of the laser more than 80 years ago, several uses have been developed, especially in the medical sciences. Despite not being an ionising radiation, its high intensity can induce photochemical reactions and affect cellular metabolism and signalling pathways (Hawkins, 2009). Research into the interaction of the laser photons with living, especially in […]
Topical management of wounds of various aetiologies with polyabsorbent dressings
The notion of a need for a paradigm shift in wound care through the application of the wound bed preparation (WBP), has been discussed in literature since its inception by Falanga (2000), Sibbald et al (2000), and Schultz et al (2003). It focuses on the optimisation of the wound bed conditions to enhance healing by […]
Management of diabetes-related wounds in South Africa with a lipido-colloid dressing with silver technology (TLC-Ag): A case series
Diabetes in South Africa is a major challenge for patients and the country itself, with the country having the second highest number of people living with type 2 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa (Sifunda et al, 2023). The prevalence of diabetes has rapidly increased in South Africa, from 4.5% in 2010 to 12.7% in 2019. Of […]
Bridging the knowledge gap: Empowering generalists to make better chronic wound care decisions
Chronic wound care is frequently delivered by generalists — such as community nurses, general practitioners (GPs), aged care staff and allied health professionals — who manage diverse caseloads across primary care, aged care, and community health settings (Ahmajärvi et al., 2024; Monaro, 2021). Despite their central role, these providers may face significant barriers to delivering […]
Digest 16-3
In this section, we present brief synopses of a range of recently published articles that may be of interest to healthcare professionals working in the wound care setting. The aim of this round-up is to provide an overview, rather than a detailed summary and critique, of the research papers selected. Full references are provided should […]
Dialkylcarbamoyl Chloride-coated wound dressing: An Evidence Review and Position Document
The prevention, treatment and management of wound infection consistent with antimicrobial stewardship is a global concern and yet one of the greatest obstacles for clinicians, considering wound infection severely impacts patient outcomes, clinical practices and financial costs. The lack of clinical evidence with high certainty, of the plethora of topical antimicrobial dressings available for the […]
Twenty years of the Journal of Lymphoedema — editorial reflections of our needs, what we have done to provide them and where the gaps still are
To gain a feeling of the issues and questions problems and solutions for all of us and for the patients we aim to serve, I’ve focussed on some of our editorials and articles from the last 19 years. Our first issue was in October of 2006 and in it, Prof Christine Moffatt clearly stated […]
The British Lymphology Society: 40 years of striving for better lymphoedema care and services
This year is a significant milestone for the British Lymphology Society as we celebrate our 40th anniversary. How it all started and grew In the UK in 1985, the lymphoedema world was a lonely and challenging place for people with lymphoedema and also for those trying to help them. When the British Lymphoedema Interest Group […]
Twenty years of lymphoedema in Sweden — The Swedish Association of Chronic Oedema perspective: our path of improving knowledge and outcomes for patients
Svenska Ödemförbundet (SÖF; The Swedish Association of Chronic Oedema) was founded in 1999 by patients and next-of-kin who wanted to contribute to a Swedish Health Care Plan for Lymphoedema, initiated by the Swedish Cancer Society. Patients who had received treatment with decongestive lymphatic therapy (DLT), patient education and self-management on how to live with lymphoedema […]
Two decades of lymphoedema care in Canada: progress, pitfalls and promise
A growing lymphoedema community Twenty years ago, a small handful of provinces within Canada were developing patient organisations in various stages with support groups and awareness activities. Today, it is inspiring to see eight established lymphoedema patient organisations across the country working tirelessly to improve the care of patients living with lymphoedema. They educate, participate […]
More than 20 years of implementation of lymphoedema research in Sweden
Over the past two decades, Sweden has significantly advanced lymphoedema treatment, moving from traditional passive methods to proactive approaches involving exercise, self-care and early diagnosis. Initially, research demonstrated that physical activity, even heavy weightlifting, does not worsen lymphoedema, challenging previous assumptions. This shift supported increased physical activity among patients, leading to improved outcomes. Key developments […]
Reflecting on two decades of lymphoedema care in the United States
The American Lymphedema Framework Project (ALFP) was invited to provide an overview of the status of lymphedema (LE) awareness, treatment, and management in the US over the past 20 years. We invited members of the ALFP steering committee and the leader/founder of the Lymphedema Advocacy Group to respond with perspectives on the advances, as well […]
The changing landscape of lymphoedema: lessons from the past, directions for the future
Celebrating 20 years of the Journal of Lymphoedema has prompted me to reflect on my own professional journey over the past two decades in the lymphoedema field, and more recently, in the broader area of chronic oedema. My career as a lymphoedema physiotherapist began in 1991 in Victoria, Australia, at a time when awareness of […]
Support and guidelines for patients diagnosed with lymphoedema through a mobile application for self-management of their condition
According to the latest version of the Consensus Document of the International Society of Lymphology (2023) for the evaluation and management of peripheral lymphoedema, an accurate diagnosis of lymphoedema is essential for effective treatment. It is based on clinical history, physical examination and tests, such as lymphoscintigraphy, MRI, bioimpedance, ultrasound, indocyanine green fluorescence and others. […]
Finding compression solutions for complex lower-limb lymphoedema: a case study
This case highlights an elderly patient with complex skin needs requiring overnight compression. Case presentation Background Bertha (not her real name) is an 81-year-old woman who lives alone. She is well supported by her two daughters and five grandchildren. She has been retired for more than 20 years and receives additional support to enable her […]
Establishing lymphoedema services on Nantucket: a case study in remote healthcare
This case study outlines the establishment of lymphoedema services at Nantucket Cottage Hospital (NCH), part of the Mass General Brigham system, located in Nantucket (MA, USA), addressing the unique challenges posed by geographic isolation. Over 20 patients benefited from improved access to care in 2024, with high levels of patient satisfaction reported. The findings underscore […]
What is best practice in resource-limited settings?
The World Alliance for Wound and Lymphedema Care (WAWLC) is a non-governmental organisation, incorporated in Geneva (Switzerland), working in partnership with wound and lymphoedema care organisations around the world to foster best practices in limited resource settings. WAWLC does not deliver programmes itself but works with other organisations to develop capacity in resource-limited settings through […]
Lymphoedema medical and surgical camp report: addressing neglected tropical diseases in Uganda
Lymphedema Warriors Association Uganda (LWAU) is a patient-focused non-profit organisation co-founded by patients in 2022, dedicated to supporting individuals affected by lymphoedema in Uganda. Our mission is to empower those affected by this chronic condition through education, support and advocacy. We strive to create a community where individuals with lymphoedema can connect, share their experiences, […]
Social media and patient advocacy in lymphoedema care: a perspective piece with the Australian of the Year, South Australian Local Hero 2022
Electronic health (eHealth) refers to modalities such as telehealth, social media, robotics and artificial intelligence, which are being used to transform the way patients and practitioners communicate (World Health Organization, 2019). Eysenbach (2001) defined eHealth as: “an emerging field in the intersection of medical informatics, public health and business, referring to health services and information […]
Digital community of practice in lymphoedema care: a perspective piece
Communities of practice can be defined as “groups of people who share a concern, a set of problems, or a passion about a topic, and who deepen their knowledge and expertise by interacting on an ongoing basis”(Noar et al, 2023). Communities of practice can be used for learning, exchanging information and knowledge and improving clinical […]
A review of the stages of venous insufficiency and clinical decision-making: A functional perspective for PT, OT and non-vascular clinicians
Chronic venous insufficiency happens when the veins in the legs struggle to send blood back to the heart (Rai, 2014; Kim et al, 2021). Normally, the valves in these veins ensure that blood moves toward the heart. However, if these valves don’t function properly, blood may flow backwards, leading to a buildup (or pooling) in […]
Waist-to-height ratio as an alternative measure to body mass index reduces the diagnosis of obesity in the lipoedema cohort
Lipoedema (LI) is a chronic disease affecting loose connective tissue (and hypothesised by Torre et al as a connective tissue disease), most notably affecting the fatty tissue, occurring predominantly in women (Torre et al, 2018). This disease appears to have a genetic origin (Grigoriadis et al, 2022). Although the aetiology and pathogenesis of LI remain to […]
Online general exercise management program for patients with breast cancer-related lymphoedema: A protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial
Breast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL) is a chronic condition affecting approximately 29.8% of breast cancer survivors (Shen et al 2024). BCRL symptoms typically include arm swelling, pain and various physical discomforts that affect daily activities (Shen et al, 2024). These symptoms significantly impact a patient’s long-term quality of life (QOL) (Ramirez-Parada et al 2023). Managing BCRL […]
A review of the heterogeneity of clinical lymphoedema scoring systems
The lymphatic system’s primary function is to drain excess fluid from the tissues and return it to the bloodstream; when lymphatic drainage is impaired, fluid accumulates, causing the characteristic swelling of lymphoedema, a chronic condition most commonly affecting the arms and legs (Grada and Phillips, 2017; Greene and Goss, 2018; Keast et al, 2019; Azhar […]
Getting real! It’s time … and about more than just time
Whether you term it as overtime or extra time, or even ‘last call’ at your favourite watering-hole establishment, it is time… and about more than just time. It’s time for getting real! It’s about… Care, Community, and Communications, where the 21st century cause for *Lymph* is concerned. Dear Journal of Lymphoedema (JoL) reader, hoping you […]
Wound Balance
What is Wound Balance and how does it help clinicians manage complex wounds? Wound Balance is a concept integrating all relevant factors to ensure continuity and personalised care, guiding clinical decision-making and addressing the imbalances contributing to wound complexity or chronicity (Wounds International, 2023). Wound Balance [Figure 1]emphasises a holistic approach that helps clinicians identify […]