Crittenden M. Fungating wounds: "A shared experience of a nursing challenge". An account of the palliative management of a patient with extensive fungating multi-nodular lesions arising from a malignant melanoma. Smith & Nephew Poster Presentation. Data on File. 

Type of Study: Case Study

Type of Wound: Fungating and Malignant Wounds

Abstract
Case study of a 67-year-old woman with a malignant melanoma and long standing open skin lesions. The patient was admitted to a palliative care unit with an oedematous leg with wounds extending from foot to groin, covering 70% of the leg and producing copious amounts of exudate. Slough and devitalized tissue were present and the limb was infected.

INTRASITE^◊ Gel was used to facilitate the removal of necrotic tissue and slough and Kaltostat was used to aid haemostatis and to absorb exudates. OPSITE^◊ was used to secure edges.

ALLEVYN^◊ Hydrocellular was used to absorb exudates and maintain integrity. ALLEVYN^◊ Hydrocellular was adapted to resemble a knee length boot.

The aim of therapy was palliation and improvement of quality of life.

Key Findings

• ALLEVYN^◊ succeeded in absorbing large amounts of exudate.
• The use and flexibility of ALLEVYN^◊ was accepted by the patient and resulted in an improvement in body image, fulfilling the treatment criteria of improving quality of life.
• The provision of a larger than commercially available dressing by Smith & Nephew proved invaluable in the management of a terminally ill patient with fungating multi-nodular lesions.