Case series of 18 patients with lower extremity wounds treated with a concentrated surfactant–based gel dressing

Abstract

The purpose of this case series was to assess the performance of a concentrated surfactant-based gel (CSG) dressing on 18 patients in the outpatient setting over 4weeks. Wounds selected were full thickness, had been presented for greater than 4weeks, and were located on the lower extremities. Patients were given the CSG dressing and instructed on its use. On follow-up clinic visits, the wound was assessed, measurements were obtained, Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) Tool scores completed, and satisfaction with the dressing was solicited. Individual analysis of each subject's wound was conducted to determine if there was a healing trend over time with a decrease in total PUSH score. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the results. Eighteen patients participated in this case series involving 9 women and 9 men with a mean age of 66 years (range from 52 to 91). All 18 of the patients had a primary diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease with 7 patients having venous leg ulcers and 11 patients with lower extremity arterial ulcers. The mean Total PUSH score before the CSG dressing was applied was 10.7 (range from 5 to 15) (standard deviation [SD] 3.09) and posttreatment was 8.3 (range from 0 to 14) (SD 4). All 18 patients had a decrease in their pretreatment score from the first clinic visit compared with the posttreatment PUSH Tool score, indicating that the CSG dressing may be an effective dressing in the management of lower extremity wounds.