Wound healing is a natural phenomenon. In the physiological situation, nature follows a uniform pattern which, beginning with blood coagulation, then cleanses the wound of damaged tissue, foreign bodies and bacteria in catabolic processes. The process ends with production of new tissue to fill the defect which changes in time into scar tissue.

An attempt has been made in this compendium to represent the basic features of the complex subjects of wounds and wound healing. The structure and functions of the skin are described, followed by the processes of wound healing, influences on wound healing and possible disturbances arising from them, principles of treatment of acute and chronic wounds and treatment with dressings as an important localised therapeutic measure. A later chapter focuses on modern hydro-active wound dressings giving a detailed description of their characteristics and uses. These expand the range of therapeutic options especially in the treatment of chronic wounds when they are used in the appropriate phase.

 Download HARTMANN Wounds and Wound Management (PDF 13 MB)

One of the most serious complications of immobility is the development of a decubitus ulcer (pressure ulcer, pressure sore). For the person affected, it is always a serious health impairment, quite apart from the enormous amount of nursing input and cost involved in treating pressure sores.

This HARTMANN medical edition provides essential knowledge relating to the pathogenesis of pressure ulcer and sets out successful therapeutic principles which, if applied consistently, promise good prospects of a cure. It should nevertheless be emphasized that the management of decubitus ulcer requires both knowledge and skill and a high degree of discipline on the part of all those involved in delivering wound management. In many cases, traditional methods and approaches have to be reconsidered; the widespread practice of polypragmasy is to be avoided in favour of consistently structured therapeutic concepts.

 Download Phase-specific wound management of decubitus ulcer (PDF 3.1 MB)

Venous alterations and venous diseases are among the commonest impairments of health and well-being, and it is estimated that about two million citizens of the Federal Republic of Germany are affected by a lower leg ulcer of venous origin. This statistic illustrates the social and socio-economic relevance of this medical condition, but does not adequately describe the loss in quality of life suffered by persons with a chronic ulcerative disease.

This HARTMANN medical edition presents therapeutic concepts involving conservative management of these conditions in the light of pathophysiological knowledge. These approaches are based on the use of compression bandaging as basic therapy and illustrate the possibilities offered by phase-specific wound management with hydroactive wound dressings, since moist wound treatment has proved especially effective in the treatment of chronic ulcerations.

 Download Phase-specific wound management of venous leg ulcer (PDF 1.9 MB)

Foot lesions affect more than 10% of patients with diabetes mellitus at some point in their life and are amongst the most dreaded complications of this disease. They can causes prolonged periods of immmobility and discomfort and some never heal.

One of the reasons why foot injuries in diabetic represent such an extraordinary problem is the large number of different factors that contribute to the aetiology and progession of such lesions. Another relates to the management and treatment of diabetic foot ulceration. The diabetic foot is a great problem world-wide, and patients with diabetic foot disease are at very high risk of major amputation of a leg. In this volume, Dr. med. Stephan Morbach describes with clarity and precision, the interventions needed fo improve outcomes for patientes.

The book is beautifully illustrated by colour potographs. It is compact enough to be easily portable, and will be useful both for community physicians and healthcare workers as well as for multi-disciplinary, hospital-based teams. The contents are very efficiently organised, and Dr. Morbach has not confined himself to common areas of management, but also leads the reader through the often neglected realms of psychological and socio-economic aspects, quality of life and epidemiology. However he does not neglect the more practical aspects of classification, risk factors, diagnosis and management of patients with neuropapthic and ischaemic ulcers, infections and necrosis.    

This very practical book will be valued by all members of the diabetic foot team, be they physicians, surgeons, podiatrists, nurses or orthotists, working in community or hospital and should help to improve outcomes for diabetic foot patients.

 Download Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of the Diabetic Foot Syndrome (PDF 853 KB)

In the 1990's, latex allergies developed into a significant health problem. Studies describe a prevalence of sensitisation to natural latex of up to 17% in medical professions.As a result of AIDS prophylaxis, the use of latex gloves has increased sharply, and production processes have changed.

The Hartmann medical edition “Latex allergy – An occupational disease“ deals with the frequency and causes of allergies to protective gloves and presents the triggering mechanisms of allergic reactions. Allergic reactions caused by wearing latex gloves are based on sensitisation to rubber chemicals or proteins of natural latex. The reader is given a detailed overview of the characteristic clinical symptoms and diagnostic procedures. In recent years, prevention strategies such as the use of low-allergen and powder-free latex gloves have resulted in a reduction of the frequency of latex sensitisation. This brochure presents further effective, practical measures for the prophylaxis and treatment of an existing latex allergy.

 Download HARTMANN Medical edition Latex allergy (PDF 1.2 MB)