Summary

Summary

Effectiveness

  • Six randomised controlled trials and 3 non-randomised comparative studies evaluated the original Versajet hydrosurgery system.

  • The Versajet hydrosurgery system was faster or took the same time to debride wounds compared with the comparators.

Adverse events and safety

  • In 1 randomised controlled trial 25% of patients had adverse events in the Versajet arm compared with 9.5% in the comparator arm.

  • Pain experience was no different in 1 randomised controlled trial and 1 comparative study.

  • In 1 randomised control trial there was less blood loss using the Versajet system compared with conventional debridement with scalpels and electrocautery. In another randomised controlled trial a large blood vessel was cut in the Versajet system group.

Cost and resource use

  • The costs of the Versajet II system are £5000+VAT for the console and £230+VAT for each single-use hand piece.

  • Two studies compared the cost of treatment using the Versajet hydrosurgery system against conventional debridement.

  • One study estimated treatment using the Versajet hydrosurgery system to be less costly and the other found no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups.

  • In 1 comparative study, the mean number of surgical procedures was lower in the Versajet system arm. It was estimated that the average number of debridement procedures to achieve a healthy wound was 1.2 for the Versajet system and 1.9 for conventional surgical debridement.

Technical factors

  • No clinical evidence was found on the Versajet II hydrosurgery system but the available evidence on the predecessor Versajet system is likely to be applicable.

  • It is advisable to use the Versajet II system in an operating theatre to reduce the risk of transmitting infection through misting or spraying.