Quantitative bacterial analysis of comparative wound irrigations.

It is a biologic fact that all open wounds contain bacteria and remain contaminated with varying levels of bacteria until successful wound closure has been accomplished. The sine qua non in the management of the contaminated wound has been and remains adequate sharp debridement. In a standardized experimental model, three methods of irrigation were compared employing quantitative bacteriology of tissue to evaluate their effectiveness at decreasing bacterial levels and reducing wound infection. The pulsating jet lavate was found to be significantly better than gravity flow irrigation or wound irrigation with a bulb syringe. These data on tissue biopsies support previous reports using surface and wound exudate cultures.