Fibrinolytic activity in wound secretions.

Debrisan, a highly hydrophilic dextran polymer, was previously shown to be effective in cleaning infected wounds. The dry beads remove wound secretions from the wound surface under gel formation. The gel can then be analysed. A high fibrinolycic activity on fibrin plates and high levels of fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products were found in the secretions from 12 wounds. Low of plasminogen, antithrombin III and the absence of coagulable fribinogen also indicated a high fibrinolytic activity. A higher fibrinolytic activity on heated than on unheated fibrin plates, and the insignificant effect of local application of EACA suggest the presence of other proteolytic enzymes than plasmin.