MODERN PHYSICAL METHODS IN MANAGING SUPPURATIVE WOUNDS

Suppurative and inflammatory processes in soft tissues make up a considerable share, 35 – 40%, in the structure of surgical problems in inpatients. Suppurative and inflammatory processes are often characterized as acute, resulting in systemic infection, sepsis, and even fatal outcomes. In the total structure of lethal outcomes in surgical inpatient departments the mortality rate due to acute surgical infection makes up 40 – 60%. Long hospital treatment, insufficient effectiveness of existing treatment methods, additional expenses for recovery and rehabilitation put this issue in the forefront of the most challenging healthcare tasks. This review states out that management of suppurative wounds is still remaining the most pressing for surgeons nowadays. Despite the rich experience and ever-increasing techniques and approaches in treating suppurative wounds, the elaboration of more effective physical methods to stimulate the healing of the wounds seems to be promising. The physical methods can include vacuum treatment, laser and ultrasound wound treatment, ozon therapy, hyperbaric oxygenation, phototherapy, hydropress sanation. The above methods can considerably contribute to the wound treatment thus promote its rapid healing. However, each of the techniques listed has its own disadvantages (technical, biological, economical), and can be applied only at a particular stage of wound healing. In-depth analysis of all advantages and shortcomings, contraindications to each method, enables to improve the treatment outcomes for patients with suppurative wounds thus reducing the time of hospital staying and expenses.