Packing or Not ?

[Galfon]

For post-operative wound infections where exudate production is ongoing, is it best to get the wound packed with gauze regularly, or surface dressing only ?
I understand the wound needs to heal from the bottom up ideally, and the exudate can cause skin problems itself from dampness and it's nature.
We have recently encountered conflicting approaches from experienced medical professionals over this matter, for cases affecting elderly relatives....just wondered what the main pointers are for future reference.

[morepork]

Exudate is part of the normal healing process...to a point. It has all the growth factors and nutrients you need for healing. Wound should be moist but not wet, if that makes sense. It doesn't necessarily mean infection, unless it is obviously purulent and smells bad. The dressing should be enough to clean up excess exudate, but not so much it dries the wound out. If you dry it out, it will be starved of nutrients and growth factors and necrosis will result.

Alternatively, you could just walk it off after a quick pat down with the magic sponge.

[Galfon]

There was a complication with cellulitis, requiring oral AB's - the exudate is diminishing at last but just keeping an eye on effect of too much dampness on skin, under dressing.
Given the age of the relative and nature of major surgery,
I am tempted to hold back on the walky/spongy approach...useful advice though, especially what's actually in the fluid.The staff always asked about the colour early on - reckoning clear/pink better than yellowy ?

[morepork]

I think smell is a better indicator, although fluorescent green is generally not considered fashionable. The fluids in the exudate contain all the goodies needed to stimulate epithelial cells to divide and populate the wound as well as promote revacsularisation. No blood supply = deed cells. The exudate tells the troops to hang on while the cavalry mobilises.

[Mikey Brown]

Huge butt porn.

[morepork]

Someone is after a good packing.