T. Eberlein, G. Haemmerle, M. Signer, U. Gruber Moesenbacher, J. Traber, M. Mittlboeck, M. Abel, R. Strohal
Journal of Wound Care, Vol. 21, Iss. 1, 11 Jan 2012, pp 12
- 20
Objective: This study compares treatment with a polihexanide-containing biocellulose wound dressing (BWD+PHMB) versus the best local standard of silver dressings (Ag) in painful, critically colonised (wounds-at-risk) or locally-infected wounds.
Method: Patients with wounds of various aetiologies, a baseline VAS pain score >4 and a semi-quantitative bacterial load of ++ or higher were randomly allocated to receive treatment with either BWD+PHMB or Ag. Patients with systemic infections and/or using systemic antibiotics were excluded. The primary endpoint, patient-reported pain (VAS total pain, including the sub-scores pain at night, during the day, before, and 15min after dressing changes), was compared between treatment groups and scored on days 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28. Secondary outcomes of bacterial load, wound bed and periwound skin condition, quality of life and dressing handling were assessed at the same visits.
Results: Thirty-eight patients (BWD+PHMB, n=21 [24 wounds]; Ag, n=17 [18 wounds]) were included in the analyses. Baseline variables showed no significant differences. Wound pain was reduced significantly in both groups, with a better pain reduction noted for BWD+ PHMB (p<0.001) before dressing changes. Compared with Ag, in the BWD+PHMB group critical colonisation and local wound infection had been reduced significantly faster and better (p<0.001) over the 28-day study period. Improved quality of life, good tolerability and no adverse events were demonstrated for both groups.
Conclusion: Both BWD+PHMB and AG were effective in reducing pain and bacterial burden. However, that BWD+PHMB was significantly faster and better in removing the critical bacterial load, makes this dressing an attractive therapeutic option to treat critically colonised and locally-infected wounds.
Declaration of interest: This was sponsored by a clinical research grant from Lohmann & Rauscher GmbH & Co. KG. G. Haemmerle, M. Signer, U. Gruber-Moesenbacher and M. Mittlboeck have no conflict of interest to report. T. Eberlein, J. Traber and R. Strohal serve in the speakers bureau of Lohmann & Rauscher GmbH & Co KG. In addition, T. Eberlein and R. Strohal also work as consultants for Lohmann & Rauscher GmbH & Co KG. M. Abel is an employee of Lohmann & Rauscher GmbH & Co KG.