Wound care is benefitting from contemporary technological advancements one of which is the use of ultra violet therapy. This paper focuses on the use of ultra violet therapy. It seeks to ascertain the efficacy of Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) in the
healing of gunshot wounds in a tertiary health facility in Northwest Nigeria, with a view to stimulate more interest in an integrated approach to wound management in our care environment. The case summaries are two patients with gunshot injuries selected from a Female Orthopaedic Ward of the hospital. Antibiotics and wound dressing were applied initially to the wounds of both patients and results showed that the management was less effective. Following a consult sent to the Physiotherapy Unit of the hospital, after due assessment, an ultra-violet therapy was introduced using a cold quartz UV generator. This therapy was performed following some specific steps. The Minimal Erythemal Dose (MED) was performed on first the session to determine the dosage level, using an erythemometer. Baseline measurements of the wounds were taken and documented. Patient 1 and Patient 2 had 14 and 12 treatment sessions
respectively over a 4-week period. The wound dimensions were subsequently measured every week for four weeks and properly documented. There was a gradual but significant decrease in the size of the wounds for both Patients 1 and 2 within four weeks of commencement of the therapy. Surrounding skin remained intact. It is therefore recommended that UV therapy in the treatment of gunshots wounds in our
locality has great potential for wound management and this can be further explored. More studies should be conducted to establish its place in wound management in our health facility. Clinicians should collaborate in this area to improve wound care and
research.
- ANYEBE | E. | E. | anyebe.ee@unilorin.edu.ng; | +2348036422771, AJAYI, | A. | . | ehichristo@yahoo.com | +2348023639269, OPALUWA, | S. | A. | +2348034516359 | ahmed_opaluwa@yahoo.co.uk, OLAWALE | J | J. | +2347035106155. | jjolawale@yahoo.com, MUHAMMED | Z. | B. | +2347035106155 | zulybal27@gmail.com, SAROR, | L. | A. | +234 8028483240 | awasaror2@gmail.com
- Gunshot Wounds; Wound Management; Ultraviolet Therapy
- Lautech Paper 2-c5d9e059