Evaluation of pH measurement as a method of wound assessment.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess variations in wound pH levels and explore the relationship between wound pH and the state of wound healing. METHOD: Fifty patients with acute or chronic wounds attending the wound clinic at University Hospital,Varanasi, India were included.Wound pH was measured using litmus paper strips and recorded weekly. Other parameters recorded were the wound condition, exudate level and culture. RESULTS: The baseline pH of most of the wounds was greater than 8.5.As the wound condition improved and exudate levels decreased, the pH reduced to less than 8.0. Fifty-eight per cent of the wounds were culture positive, and an association was observed between the type of organism present and the wound pH. CONCLUSION: Wound pH measurements can be performed efficiently and are non-invasive, causing no discomfort to the patient.As the wounds healed, the pH reduced.This change in pH can help predict the likelihood of wound healing.