The management of malodour and exudate in fungating wounds

The topic of malodour and exudate in fungating wounds is of particular interest and relevance for community nurses who care for patients with fungating wounds in the community setting. Community nurses can work together with community oncology and palliative care services to manage patients with fungating wounds at home, where once hospital admission would have been needed to provide the level of support and care these patients require. Fungating wounds present unique challenges and can be problematic as a result of the levels of exudate and malodour which they produce. This review sought to establish whether recent advances in wound care products and/or techniques, could be of value in the control of these symptoms. The review established that there is little clinical research into the care of fungating wounds, and that the development of new dressings and techniques for controlling malodour and exudate is badly needed.