Wound consultation

Chronic wounds take a physical and emotional toll. At the wound clinic at Zuger Kantonsspital, we treat people with chronic and acute wounds in line with the latest scientific evidence, tailoring our approach to the individual cause and supported by an experienced team of wound care specialists.

+41 41 399 47 20 +41 41 399 47 21 wundsprechstunde@zgks.ch

What is a wound clinic?

A wound clinic is a specialist clinic for people with chronic or poorly healing wounds. Specialists assess the wound, identify the causes and draw up a personalised treatment plan. The clinics are led by a senior consultant trained as an ICW© medical wound expert. Other medical specialities are often involved in the process.

Why chronic wounds require a thorough assessment

A chronic wound rarely has just a single cause. Circulatory disorders, diabetes, venous insufficiency or pressure can play a role, either individually or in combination. Accurate diagnosis and an appropriate treatment strategy are therefore crucial to the course of treatment. We first determine what is hindering your wound healing and use this to develop a personalised treatment plan.

Biological skin substitutes for hard-to-heal wounds

If a wound does not heal despite targeted treatment of the underlying cause, a biological skin substitute can complement the therapy. These materials are applied directly to the wound, protecting it and forming a scaffold into which the body’s own tissue can grow. The aim is to restart the natural wound-healing process.

In our wound clinic, we use three methods: NuShield, a tissue substitute made from processed placental membrane; Apligraf, a skin substitute made from cultured human skin cells; and Kerecis, a specially processed codfish skin. Following the assessment, we will decide together with you whether a skin substitute is suitable for you and which method is appropriate.

Interdisciplinary wound care at the Zuger Kantonsspital

Our qualified wound care specialists have completed specialised further training with the Swiss Society for Wound Care (SAfW). In the wound clinic, they work closely with specialist departments: from vascular diagnostics and vascular surgery, through diabetology and nephrology, to infectious diseases and orthopaedic foot surgery. This enables even complex wounds to be comprehensively assessed and treated.

The wound clinic team coordinates further treatment and care with your GP and partners such as Spitex.

Services

Development of therapeutic and treatment plans, including surgical planning, taking into account any underlying conditions, the patient’s social circumstances, physical activity and diet
Wound care using all modern wound dressings, vacuum therapy, skin grafting procedures, biosurgery (maggot therapy)

Partnerships

Vascular Surgery, Luzerner Kantonsspital

Spitex

Further Information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When should I go to the wound clinic if I have a wound?

If a wound has not healed after several weeks, keeps reopening, oozes, is painful or becomes inflamed, it is advisable to seek a specialist’s assessment. It is also worth attending a wound clinic at an early stage if you have underlying conditions such as diabetes or a venous disorder.

What types of wounds are treated at the wound clinic?

We treat chronic and acute wounds, such as varicose ulcers (ulcus cruris), diabetic foot syndrome, pressure sores (decubitus) or surgical wounds that are slow to heal. Treatment is always tailored to the underlying cause.

Where does the wound clinic take place?

The wound clinic is held at Zuger Kantonsspital in Baar and at Buonaserstrasse 7 in Rotkreuz.

What can I do myself to help the wound heal?

Effective wound healing also depends on your daily routine: a balanced diet, exercise within your capabilities, avoiding nicotine and keeping underlying conditions such as diabetes well managed all support the healing process. We will advise you on this on an individual basis during your wound consultation.

Does the wound clinic collaborate with other specialist departments?

Yes. Our wound care specialists work in an interdisciplinary manner with vascular surgery, angiology, diabetology, nephrology, infectious diseases and orthopaedic foot surgery – to ensure comprehensive treatment, even for complex wounds.

What is fish skin and when is it used to treat wounds?

Fish skin is a biological skin substitute made from cod skin from which the cells have been removed. In our wound clinic, we use the product Kerecis for this purpose. The resulting tissue structure acts as a scaffold into which the body’s own cells can grow. Like other skin substitute procedures, we use fish skin specifically for wounds that are slow to heal, provided that the assessment shows you are likely to benefit from it.