Ostomy Skin Care
What are ostomies? Ostomy is an umbrella term for surgical procedures in which a ‘stoma’ is created. A stoma is a surgically created opening onto the surface of the body to exteriorise a hollow organ and maintain the passage (Fletcher et al, 2020). Different types of ostomies Colostomy = exteriorisation of a section of the […]
Skin substitutes for the management of hard-to-heal wounds
Skin substitutes—which may also be referred to under the umbrella terms ‘tissue scaffolds’ or ‘tissue-engineered products’, ‘cellular tissue products (CTPs)’, and ‘cellular, acellular and matrix-like products (CAMPs)’—have seen exponential development in recent years and become a commonplace tool within wound care. As products have been developed and the evidence base has grown, these products offer […]
Incision care and dressing selection in obstetrics and gynaecology: Findings from an international meeting of obstetricians and gynaecologists
Surgical wound complications such as surgical site infection (SSI) and surgical wound dehiscence (SWD) represent a considerable issue in global healthcare across surgical disciplines (Sandy-Hodgetts et al, 2022a). A panel meeting of clinical experts was convened to examine post-incisional care and dressing selection in OB-GYN practice. The attending clinicians work across the APAC region, united […]
The importance and relevance of patient education about lymphology and lymphoedemas
Throughout our lives we learn from those around us – our parents, teachers, friends and colleague – through what we discuss, hear, see and read. These experiences make us what we are today, but along the way perhaps there were some times when we have doubted or questioned the information, its sources, its accuracy and […]
X marks the spot… and “X factor” marks the need?
“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning”– Benjamin Franklin Lymphedema – Guerrilla Warrior General (LymphoGWG) presumes (hopes!) there is tremendous importance attached to the study of lymph (lymphology – the physiology and the pathology) in the proverbial and real grand scheme of things within the world of […]
Celebrating 15 years of progress and impact from the Canadian Lymphedema Framework
As we mark the 15th anniversary of the 2009 inception of the Canadian Lymphedema Framework (CLF),I am filled with immense pride and gratitude. Over the past decade and a half, we have grown from a fledgling organisation to a formidable force in the field of lymphoedema education, research and advocacy. This milestone serves as a […]
The British Lymphology Society update and a look forward to the 40th anniversary year
Next year marks a significant milestone for the British Lymphology Society (BLS) as we celebrate our 40th anniversary! Founded initially as a small and relatively informal group of practitioners and healthcare professionals, we’re unsure of the exact founding date, which is a great excuse to make it a year-long celebration! This year we were also […]
A case of lower leg amputation: A sequelae of lymphoedema compression garment complication during the Covid-19 pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic led to mandated social distancing and self-isolation in order to prevent spread of infection (Yuki et al, 2020). As a result, the incidence of symptoms of fear, depression and anxiety significantly increased, with mental health sufferers being more at risk of exacerbation of their symptoms (Yao et al, 2020). Many outpatient activities […]
Improvement in quality of life and speech: Case study of a head and neck cancer patient using manual lymphatic drainage and bioelectric massage therapy
Lymphoedema and manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) often emphasise volume reduction, but improvements in skin texture and the softening of adhesions are equally crucial. Up to 75% of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients who undergo radiotherapy exhibit lymphoedema symptoms. Additionally, the prevalence of psychosocial issues in these patients post-radiotherapy is estimated at around 63% (Nayak […]
An innovative approach of Fast’n Go™ for lymphoedema self-care
Lymphoedema is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterised by the abnormal accumulation of tissue fluid resulting in oedema, fibrosis, and fatty tissue deposition. (Bowman and Rockson, 2024). In the Casley-Smith method of treating lymphoedema, bandaging is a core component of care (Casley-Smith and Casley-Smith 1997). Traditional bandaging can […]
Accessibility in lymphoedema practice: digital and practical therapy considerations
Lymphoedema therapy, under the Casley Smith method, is focused on manual lymphatic drainage compression bandaging, and the prescription of compression garments and encompasses various clinical assessment methods and techniques, including limb circumferences and volume measurement (Casley-Smith and Casley-Smith, 1992). Accessibility According to the World Health Organization (2023), globally at least 2.2 billion people have a […]
Urban, rural/small-town, Hispanic/Latina, and Ghanaian breast cancer survivors with lymphoedema returning to work
Breast cancer annual incidence exceeds 2 million people since 2022, making it the most common women’s cancer worldwide (World Health Organization, 2024). Breast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL) is a cancer treatment-related sequelae conservatively affecting 20–40% of women treated for breast cancer (Tandra et al, 2019; Armer et al, 2020; International Society of Lymphology [ISL], 2020; González- […]
Using a twin herbal formula for the treatment of upper limb lymphoedema after breast cancer resection
Upper limb lymphoedema is a common complication after breast cancer surgery. It is reported that the incidence ranges from 6% to 30% (Soran et al, 2006). With the implementation of adjuvant radiotherapy, the incidence has increased up to 90% (Erickson et al, 2001; Rupp et al, 2019). This is a chronic progressive disease, often accompanied […]
Comparative study of central intranodal lymphangiography patterns between patients with primary lymphoedema and patients with lymphatic leak
Lymphoedema is a localised accumulation of interstitial oedema due to impaired lymphatic drainage (Warren et al, 2007; Grada and Phillips, 2017; Lee et al, 2022). Generally, lymphoedema is categorised into two subtypes: primary, caused by developmental anomalies of lymphatic channels (Warren et al, 2007; Grada and Phillips, 2017; Brouillard et al, 2021), and secondary, caused […]
Encouraging exercise: the role of the ENCORE programme in supporting breast cancer care
An Australian is diagnosed with cancer every 4 minutes (Cormie et al, 2020). Physical activity and exercise has increasingly been recognised as a crucial component in the comprehensive care of individuals diagnosed with cancer. Misiąg et al (2022) stated: “Physical activity decreases the severity of side effects of cancer treatment, reduces fatigue, improves quality of […]
Generative artificial intelligence in lymphoedema care
Artificial intelligence (AI) is integrated to our everyday lives: “Netflix knows which films and series people prefer to watch, Amazon knows which items people like to buy when and where, and Google knows which symptoms and conditions people are searching for” (Bohr, 2020). The technology behind these common software applications, such as Netflix understanding viewing […]
Assessment questionnaires for self-reported symptoms of lymphoedema among cancer survivors: A systematic review
Lymphoedema is a chronic and debilitating condition that can arise as a consequence of cancer treatment, particularly lymph node dissection and radiation therapy. It is characterised by the accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the interstitial spaces, resulting from a disruption in the lymphatic transport system (International Society of Lymphology, 2020). Cancer-related lymphoedema is one of […]
Climate and lymphoedema: What we know from the literature
“I’m worse when it’s humid but with anything over 30 degrees, basically I try to avoid going out because I can really tell it affects my lymphoedema.” This sentiment, reported recently in a focus group conducted by Witt et al (2024), is heard frequently by all of us. Our patients with lymphoedema indicate that their […]
Know your accomplice
T here is no doubt that getting patients out of bed is beneficial. Humans were not designed to lay in bed, we were designed to be up and about. However, progressive mobility, according to the Critical Care Nurses in the US is “a series of planned movements in a sequential manner beginning at a patient’s […]
Top ten tips: medications that benefit wound healing
As the tip states, medications you may classify as beneficial may not be appropriate for each patient. We will be discussing medications that have been shown to improve wound healing. However, any medication addition needs to be critically analysed for its risk-benefit ratio, polypharmacy and social determinants of health. The risk-benefit ratio is a patient-specific […]
Generative artificial intelligence via ChatGPT for the early intervention of breast cancer-related lymphoedema
The early intervention of breast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL), under a prospective surveillance and screening model of care, has proven clinical efficacy. Since Stout et al’s 2012 publication on the model, numerous studies have been published with meta-analyses demonstrating the model’s efficacy (Shah et al, 2021; Rafn et al, 2022). The prospective surveillance and early intervention […]
Situation report on risk factors for contracture after burns in low- and middle-income countries
For the first stage of this work, a literature review (Fanstone and Price, 2024a) was conducted to identify existing knowledge of risk factors for contracture in major joints after burns. This review included relevant papers identified up to June 2019. Overall, 94 papers were reviewed, including 10 additional relevant papers published between 2019 and 2021; […]
Generative artificial intelligence for differential diagnosis of lymphoedema and lipoedema
On the same day in May 2023, an experienced lymphoedema practitioner (AM) assessed response validity from two brands of Generative AI: Bard (Alphabet Inc [Google’s parent company], California, Version 2.0.1) and ChatGPT (Open AI, California, Version 3.01, 2023). Response validity was assessed on a subjective scale from not valid, potentially valid and valid, based on […]
Medical adhesive-related skin injury (MARSI): Preventing patient harm
Compromised skin integrity can have a significant impact on the quality of life of patients, their family, friends and carers (Wounds UK, 2018), and can increase the risk of many complications related to the skin. These may include pressure ulcers, infection, moisture-associated skin damage (MASD), medical adhesive-related skin injury (MARSI, Box 1) and skin tears […]
The beneficial effects of benfotiamine and methylcobalamin in the management of patients with polyneuropathy in Aruba: three case reports
Diabetes is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Just under half a billion people are living with diabetes worldwide, and this is projected to increase by 25% in 2030 and by 51% in 2045 (Saeedi et al, 2019). Over the period 1999–2017, non-communicable diseases were the leading cause of death in Aruba. The […]
Antiseptic ointment in the treatment of venous ulcer: A case report
Venous leg ulcers are one of the most common type of chronic lower extremity ulcers. They can be slow to heal and are both painful and costly (Bonkemeyer Millanet al, 2019). Venous ulcers affect a large portion of the adult population and their prevalence and incidence increases with aging and higher prevalence of associated chronic […]
Treatment with WOUND dressing spray based on St John’s wort oil and neem oil
The healing of acute wounds usually follows a fixed structured physiological pattern. This pattern consists of four different phases (haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and remodelling). If this pattern is disturbed, the healing process is delayed and the wound may become chronic, which may result in ‘hard-to-heal’ or complex wounds (Sorg et al, 2017). Causes of delayed […]
Chemotherapy-induced eruptive pustulosis refractory to traditional dermatologic treatment
Clinical treatment of chronic wounds is an ever-evolving practice, largely consisting of multiple modalities including mechanical and enzymatic debridement, washing of wounds, and disruption of microbial or fungal colonisation to allow for re-epithelialisation (Velnar et al, 2009). In the last decade, researchers have implicated microbial biofilms as a key impedance in the successful healing of […]
A case series on improving the management of malignant cutaneous wounds through silicone SAP dressings
Cutaneous wounds are defined as a ‘disruption of normal anatomic structure and function’ of the skin due to an injury/break (Chhabra et al, 2017). MCWs develop when cancer cells infiltrate and proliferate within normal skin and surrounding tissues. These wounds mostly occur either due to metastatic growth of a primary skin cancer or skin invasion […]
Taking the pain out of wound healing with microcurrent electrical stimulation therapy
Patients often report that relentless wound pain is one of the most challenging aspects of living with a hard-to-heal wound. Severe or moderate wound pain can significantly impact wellbeing, disrupt sleep patterns, make movement difficult and contribute to anxiety and depression (Hellström et al, 2016). Pain is frequently cited as one of the main reasons […]
Demystifying in vitro evidence and standards: the power of clinical evidence
The audience, consisting of nurses, tissue viability nurses, doctors, industry and others (including PhD students), were posed questions on their experience of wound bed preparation. From this, it was highlighted that the audience’s preferred wound cleansing agent in practice is a surfactant solution; they believe that mechanical debridement is an integral part of wound bed […]
Impact of wound leakage on quality of life for patients with lower extremity wounds
The importance of promoting wound healing through the selection of appropriate compression bandages and dressings, while also considering the individual needs of patients, particularly those marginalised in society (e.g. people experiencing homelessness), was emphasised. The symposium concluded with the presentation of several case studies that highlighted various aspects of venous leg ulcer (VLU) care, exudate […]
Wounds digest 15-3
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 […]
Autolytic continuous debridement with a focus on biofilm management: Consensus document for the APAC region
Debridement is a key step in wound bed preparation (WBP), removing barriers to healing and facilitating successful treatment. Autolytic debridement—through topical treatment or wound dressings—may be an ideal option for many patients and their wounds. As well as removing dead tissue, slough and debris from the wound, continuous debridement can play an important role in […]
