Advice

Search strategy and evidence selection

Search strategy and evidence selection

Search strategy

1. Databases were searched from inception to October 2013 using the following keyword: Versajet. The number of citations found are in brackets after each database.

Medline (via OVID) (35), Embase (80), CAB Abstracts (0), Web of Science Science Citation Index (51), Cochrane Library (Systematic reviews (0), HTA (2), DARE (0), NHSEED (0), Central(6). T

These citations were sifted through to find any relevant material, using the inclusion criteria below.

2. The manufacturer responded to a request for publicly available information about the product.

3. The manufacturer's website was thoroughly investigated (Smith & Nephew).

Evidence selection

The inclusion criteria were as follows:

  • patients: any adults or children with acute or chronic wounds or burns

  • intervention: the Versajet II or Versajet system

  • comparator: any

  • outcomes: any relevant clinical outcomes, costs

  • study design: for effectiveness – any comparative study; for other aspects of the Versajet or Versajet II system – any including case reports, bench tests etc.

List of non-comparative studies for which the full paper was obtained and subsequently excluded from the evidence

Study

Study design

Anon. VersaJet hydrosurgery system (Smith & Nephew Inc) for treatment of burns. (2011) Healthcare Technology Brief Publication. Hayes Inc, Lansdale Pennsylvania

Evidence review (and cost $4000)

Boeckx, WD, Franck D, Zirak C et al. (2009) Meningococcal sepsis skin lesions treated like burn injuries after early arteriolysis to preserve limb viability. Burns 35S: S1–S47

Case series

Budkevich I, Astramirova S, Soshkina V. (2011) Application of hydrosurgical system "Versajet" in the children burn center. Burns 37S: S1–S25

Case series

Cubison, TC, Pape SA, Jeffery SL. (2006) Dermal preservation using the Versajet (R) hydrosurgery system for debridement of paediatric burns. Burns 32: 714–20

Case series

Dillon CK, Lloyd MS, Dzeiwulski P. (2010) Accurate debridement of toxic epidermal necrolysis using Versajet (R). Burns 36: 581–84

Case series

Gravante G, Esposito G, Montone A. (2008). Versajet hydrosurgery in burn wound debridement – Revised. Burns 34: 299

Response to a letter about a previous article

Gravante, G, Esposito G, di Fede MC, D et al. (2007) Versajet hydrosurgery in burn wound debridement: a preliminary experience. Burns 33: 401–2

Editorial with photos

Gurunluoglu R. (2007. Experiences with waterjet hydrosurgery system in wound debridement. World journal of emergency surgery 2: 10

Case series

Jeffery SL. (2007). Versajet hydrosurgery in burn wound debridement: A preliminary experience by Gravante G, Esposito G, Delogu D, Montone A. Burns 33: 207: 401–2. Burns 33: 800.

Letter

Jeffrey S. (2007) "Versajet: Our first 100 cases." Burns 33S: S10.

Case series

Kimble, RM, Mott J, Joethy J. (2008) Versajet ((R)) hydrosurgery system for the debridement of paediatric burns. Burns 34: 297–98

Case series

Klein, MB, Hunter S, Heimbach DM et al. (2005) The Versajet (TM) water dissector: A new tool for tangential excision. Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation 26: 483–87.

Case series

Martin R, Allan N, Olson M et al. (2011) The impact of hydrosurgical debridement on wounds containing bacterial biofilms. Burns 37S: S18

Technical evaluation on pigs

McCardle, JE (2006) Versajet hydroscalpel: treatment of diabetic foot ulceration. British journal of nursing 15: S12–7

Case studies

Pascone M, Papa G, Ranieri A (2008). Use of a novel hydrosurgery device in surgical debridement of difficult-to-heal wounds. Wounds-a Compendium of Clinical Research and Practice 20: 139–46

Case series

Pataia, E, Arleo S, Somma F et al. (2010) Use of Biotechnologies in Cutaneous Injuries Limb Repair. European Surgical Research 4

Case series with multiple controls but no comparative results

Rappl, T, Regauer S, Schintler M et al. (2007) The use of versajet in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Burns 33S: S1–S172

Clinical opinion abstract

Rees-Lee, JE, Burge TS, Estela CM (2008) The indications for Versajet hydrosurgical debridement in burns. European Surgical Research 31: 165–70.

Case series

Rennekampff HO, Schaller HE, Wisser D et al.(2006) Debridement of burn wounds with a water jet surgical tool. Burns 32: 64–6

Case series

Tenenhaus M, Bhavsar D, Rennekampff HO. (2007) Treatment of deep partial thickness and indeterminate depth facial burn wounds with water-jet debridement and a biosynthetic dressing. Injury – International Journal of the Care of the Injured 38: S39–S45

Case series

Vanwijck R, Kaba L, Boland S et al (2010) Immediate skin grafting of sub-acute and chronic wounds debrided by hydrosurgery. Journal of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery 63): 544–49

Case series

Zgonis T, Stapleton JJ (2008). Innovative techniques in preventing and salvaging neurovascular pedicle flaps in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. Foot & ankle specialist 1: 97–104

Case studies

The best available evidence on the clinical effectiveness of the medical technology is included in a medtech innovation briefing.

During the checks for factual accuracy, it was highlighted that several non-comparative studies on Versajet had not been included in the briefing. These studies were identified in the literature searches but excluded on the grounds that better quality and more relevant evidence was available. The excluded studies are those for which the full articles were retrieved to check whether the study was comparative or not, because the study design was unclear from the title or abstract.