Wound and Pressure Ulcer Care

The wound care program at the burn center of Weill Cornell Medicine brings together our team of expert surgeons, wound care certified nurse practitioners and specialized nurses to provide the expertise for effective treatment of wounds with the goal of improving quality of life. Our team customizes the treatment plan for each individual's wounds and situation. We also take the extra effort to communicate and coordinate with the patient's existing medical team to ensure that the care plan integrates with the patient's overall therapy.

Chronic pressure ulcers (also called “pressure sores”) and non-healing cutaneous (skin) wounds are complex conditions that may require highly specialized surgical care.

Diagnostic Approach to Wound Care

The workup of each patient begins with the time-tested tools of a comprehensive history and physical examination. At every patient visit, the wounds are meticulously measured and photographed, providing a temporal record of the healing progression. Advanced diagnostic tests including transcutaneous oximetry are available to assess the oxygen tension in the wound bed.

Medical, Non-invasive Treatments for Wounds

The wound program has a wide range of advanced products to deal with the spectrum of wounds. We utilize evidence-based, time-tested antibiotic topical treatments, selected skin substitutes and advanced silver impregnated dressings. Our formulary of dressings is broad and allows for selection of the most appropriate bandage according to patient need. Multilayer compression dressings are available to treat patients with chronic lower extremity wounds. Negative pressure therapy dressings are an option for deeper wounds in need of long term treatment.

Surgical Treatments for Pressure Ulcers or Non-Healing Cutaneous Wounds

Our team provides surgical treatment using the most advanced technology and techniques available. During surgery, the wound is cleaned to remove any dead or infected tissue. This remaining tissue is healthy and able to heal more fully.

For certain wounds, surgical debridement and coverage is ultimately needed. Surgical debridement may occur in the clinic, in the David H. Koch Center ambulatory surgery center, or in our state-of-the-art operating rooms at NewYork-Presbyterian. Surgical tools in our armamentarium for definitive wound closure include primary apposition, skin grafting, advanced dermal templates and other skin-based technologies.

Long-Term, Multidisciplinary Support for Healing

In addition to specialized surgical treatment, our patients receive long-term wound management care from a multidisciplinary team that may include dermatologists, physical therapists, nutritionists, lymphedema clinic, wheelchair specialists, dermatopathology and more. We collaborate closely with our patients to promote healthy healing and strengthening, as well as prevent future wounds. We support our patients so that they achieve long-term well-being.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

Our wound center offers hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which is a type of advanced treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber to aid in healing. HBOT increases the concentration of oxygen in your body tenfold to rapidly speed the healing process. It is used to care for specific types of non healing wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, soft tissue radiation injuries and chronic bone infections. 

We are one of the only wound care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy centers in Manhattan, giving you access to a team of experts who can provide a range of advanced surgical and nonsurgical treatment options, all at one location.

Request an Appointment

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