Woundoscopy: a new technique for examining deep, nonhealing wounds

This article discusses a standard gastrointestinal procedure used to visualize sinus tracts in wounds. Sinus tracts have traditionally been visualized externally and probed internally. Because of this, the cause of the nonhealing wound was difficult to determine. Through a series of case studies performed at St. Francis Hospital Wound Care Institute, the authors documented the benefits to patients of a technique they call woundoscopy--endoscopy performed to gain additional information about wounds that have not healed by standard therapies. These benefits include early diagnosis and treatments less traumatic than traditional surgical incision and intervention. Although not a procedure to be used indiscriminately, woundoscopy resulted in positive outcomes. Further research seems warranted.