What is the reason for packing a wound?

Specialties Wound

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Specializes in ACNP-BC.

I'm a new RN & my question is this: why do we pack wounds instead of just covering the wound with a sterile dressing? The other day I had a pt. who had a sigmoid resection and after the docs removed her staples, her wound opened up on her abdomen, so we were packing it with sterile gauze and then covering it with a dressing. I just am curious as to why we pack wounds, like what is the scientific reason behind it. Thanks! ?

-Christine

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Specializes in OB, ortho/neuro, home care, office.

Yes scientifically speaking it is for debridement. It is a sort of wick so to speak. Soaking up infection/pus/fluids and getting them away from the body. When you remove the packing, you are removing old unhealthy stuff and allowing the body to heal better.

Hope this helps.

Jen

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Specializes in ICU/CCU/MICU/SICU/CTICU.

By packing the wound you are also helping to prevent the wound closing from the outside in and forming an abscess. If the wound heals from the inside out, it heals by layers, you are keeping the top layers from trapping bad tissue or infection.

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A wet-dry dsg is for the sake of debridement.

When you pack a wound w/dampened ns gauze, it promotes granulation in its' moist environment. It's very important to cleanse/irrigate the wound before packing.

Leslie

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The reasons for packing are: to fill dead space, to maintain a warm moist environment, to absorb drainage and to debride, depending on the type of dressing. Check out the WOCN.org website--lots of good info about wound care.

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