Qualitative and quantitative bacteriological studies in infected surgical wounds treated with Debrisan or saline

In a study of methods for the evaluation of clearing of wound infection, local treatment with Debrisan (10 wounds) or saline (11 wounds) was examined clinically and bacteriologically. No correlation was found between clinical course and numbers of bacteria found in wound biopsies or swabs. Biopsy results varied greatly between sites in the same wound. In wounds with established infection, biopsies or wet swabs yielded little more information than conventional dry swabs. Debrisan seemed to offer no advantage over saline as regards clearing of infection in this small patient group.