The Versajet??? Water Dissector: A New Tool for Tangential Excision

Abstract

Goulian and Watson knives work well for tangential burn excision on large flat areas. They do not work well in small areas and in areas with a three-dimensional structure. The Versajet Hydrosurgery System (Smith and Nephew, Key Largo, FL) is a new waterjet-powered surgical tool designed for wound excision. The small size of the cutting nozzle and the ability to easily maneuver the water dissector into small spaces makes it a potentially useful tool for excision of burns of the eyelids, digits and web spaces. The Versajet Hydrosurgery System contains a power console that propels saline through a handheld cutting device. This stream of pressurized saline functions as a knife. We have used the Versajet for burn excision in 44 patients. Although there is a learning curve for both surgeons using and operating room staff setting up the device, the Versajet provides a relatively facile method for excision of challenging aesthetic and functional areas.

Removal of accidental inclusions following blast injury by use of a hydrosurgery system (Versajet™)

“…First experiences in the use of the Versajet TM tool in burn surgery were published since 2005. 5,9,13 The water jet allows a precise debridement of thermal damaged tissue. In comparison with conventional techniques with fixed settings, the Versajet TM system allows fine adjustments and protects vital tissue.…”

Folk medicine: Is the solution or problem?

“…Tangential excision is performed by using special knives suh as Goulian/Weck or Watson and these knives provide fast surgical debridement in smooth areas. These knives are not suitable for use in concave areas such as face, ear, and web spaces of hand and it is difficult to achieve the same depth in all areas [16].…”

Neue Konzepte in der Oberflächentherapie bei Verbrennungswunden

“…Im Vergleich zur Dermabrasio liegt ein Vorteil dieses geschlossenen Systems in der Vermeidung von Sprühnebel und damit in einer Reduktion der Kontagiosität. In ersten Studien wurde eine höhere Präzision des Versajet ® -Systems gegenüber dem chirurgischen Débridement bei zweitgradigen Verbrennungen im Gesicht, den Händen und den Füßen postuliert [13,15]. Als Begründung wird angeführt, dass oben genannte Körperregionen konventionell grundsätzlich schwierig zu débridieren seien [13,15].…”