A Novel Approach to Reducing Splash Exposure in Pulsatile Lavage

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Candace L Ward, Einstein Healthcare Network; Leonardo Kozian, Einstein Healthcare Network; Joseph Bartolacci, Einstein Healthcare Network; James C Krupp, Emory University School of Medicine; Murad J Karadsheh, Houston Methodist Hospital; Eric S Weiss, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania; Sameer A Patel, Einstein Healthcare Network
• Language: English
• Date: 2023-06-30
• Publisher: Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2023 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000005016
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 6
• Start Page: E5016
• End Page: E5016
• Keywords: Pulsatile Lavage
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Oncology; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Summary: Pulsatile lavage is utilized to copiously irrigate contaminated wounds; however, the current devices can cause significant splashing and increase the risk of contaminated fluid exposure to healthcare professionals. To create a larger splash guard for the standard pulsatile lavage device, we use heavy scissors to remove the end of a plastic light handle. We then place the nozzle of the lavage device through the open end to create a larger splash guard. This method provides a quick, accessible way to decrease the risk of splash exposure due to pulsatile lavage irrigation.