Wound-Product Selection and Innovations

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Extended healing time of dehiscence and nonhealing postsurgical wounds is a common problem. Expedited healing is key to decreasing the chance of infection. The following case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of a silver collagen amorphous gel and decreased healing time. CASE 1: 42-year-old female, history of hypotension and cardiac arrhythmia presented with a three-week old dehisced laceration to the left medial leg with a dry 95% necrotic wound bed. Prior treatments included wet to dry normal saline gauze. Silver collagen gel was applied and covered with adhesive foam and changed every three days. Due to development of a periwound rash, the cover was changed to dry gauze and frequency changed to every other day. After four weeks 50% healing, resolution within six weeks. CASE 2: 87-year-old male, history of prostate cancer, hypertension, squamous cell carcinoma of the ear and scalp presented two months postsurgical excision of the scalp site with a 100% dry necrotic wound bed. Prior treatments included a topical emulsion gel and antibiotic ointment. Silver collagen gel was applied and covered with adhesive foam and changed every three days. After one week 75% red granular wound bed, resolution within four weeks. CASE 3: 76-year-old female, history of anxiety, COPD, venous insufficiency, basal cell carcinoma of the scalp presented one week postsurgical excision of scalp with a wound bed of 50% dry necrotic, 10% dry red granulation, 40% bone. Prior treatments included topical emulsion gel. Silver collagen gel was applied and covered with a nonstick pad and changed daily. Cover was changed to foam after two weeks and changed every three days. At seven weeks 50% healing. At twelve weeks 95% healing, wound was accidentally reopened by adhesive. This wound continues to be followed. CONCLUSION: Silver collagen nanocrystalline/ionic gel is an excellent choice for postincisional and dehisced lesion healing.