Rationale: Polymeric membrane dressings contain hydrophilic glycerol and a surfactant which work together to alter the chemistry of adjacent tissues in several ways that promote healing. Polymeric membrane dressings also help decrease wound pain. In contrast, conventional treatments for epibole are usually painful and inherently destroy tissue. We used polymeric membrane dressings pushed into direct contact with closed wound edges in our patients to open the edges and promote healing without resorting to surgical or chemical intervention.

Methodology: A large piece of cuttable standard or extra-thick polymeric membrane dressing material was forced into firm contact with the rolled-under areas of the wound edges by securing an appropriately positioned gauze roll or additional dressing material into the center of the dressing.

Results: The rolled closed edges of three previously non-healing venous ulcers and one non-venous wound opened and flattened soon after being forced into contact with polymeric membrane dressings, without surgical sculpting of the wound edges or the use of silver nitrate. Granulation tissue formed quickly and migrated from the edges to center of the wound beds.

Conclusion: Forcing polymeric membrane dressings into contact with closed rolled wound edges (epibole) can result in the edges opening up quickly, allowing wound healing. This method of treating epibole is cost effective, reduces pain rather than creating it, and avoids bleeding, burning and other complications associated with surgery and the use of silver nitrate.

*PolyMem^® or PolyMem Max^®