Treatment of 50 Acute and Chronic Wounds of Multiple Etiologies: A Case Series Looking at Outcomes and Utility of an Extended-Wear Transforming Powder Dressing

Abstract

ABSTRACT Increasing healthcare costs, limited healthcare resources, an aging population, and lifestyle-related diseases make wound management a growing clinical, social, and economic burden. This case series investigated the use of a novel, biocompatible, polymer-based transforming powder dressing (TPD) that transforms in situ to a shape-retentive wound matrix upon hydration for treating wounds of various etiologies. In this institutional review board-approved single-center retrospective case series, the researchers evaluated various acute and chronic wounds treated with TPD over a period of 2 years. Wounds were followed from the first TPD application up to 1 month after the last TPD application or until the wound healed or the patient was lost to follow-up, whichever came first. The researchers evaluated wound etiology, location, number of applications, change in wound surface area, and comorbidities. The researchers identified 50 patients who were treated with TPD and had at least one follow-up visit during the retrospective study period. The majority of wounds treated with TPD were venous leg ulcers (n = 27) followed by traumatic wounds (n = 11) and skin tears (n = 7). Normal rates of wound healing (>10% per week) were observed in the majority of patients (36/50, 72%) over their duration of treatment. Complete healing during the study period was observed in 43% of venous leg ulcers, 55% of traumatic wounds, 71% of skin tears, and 80% of other wound types. No adverse effects of TPD administration were observed. Treatment with TPD resulted in significant reductions in wound area of nearly all wounds, regardless of etiology.