Case Series of the use of a Collagen Dressing on 9 Chronic Wounds

Introduction:

Collagen dressings provide exogenous collagen to jump start the body’s own production of collagen and promote the formation of granulation tissue to help the chronic wound heal. Nine patients were prescribed collagen dressings to improve start their wound healing trajectory.

Materials and Methods:

The wounds selected for this trial were full thickness, free of necrotic material, moderately exudative and had been present for greater than 12 weeks. The initial placement of the collagen dressing on the wound was done in the clinic setting.  Patients’ were instructed to change the dressing depending on the amount of exudate present in the wound and the presence of “strike through” on the secondary dressing. On the next patient’s clinic visit the wound was assessed, measurements were obtained, and satisfaction with the collagen dressing was solicited.

Results:

Nine patients with a variety of chronic wounds were entered into the trial. Three women and 6 men participated in the study. Ages ranged from 51 to 83. Five of the wounds were traumatic wounds that became chronic wounds.  Two of the wounds were from heel pressure ulcers. One of the wounds was from venous ulcer disease, and another wound was from vasculitis. Wound measurements decreased significantly on all 9 patients during the trial. All patients expressed satisfaction with the collagen dressing and felt it was very conformable to the wound, easy to apply and remove.

Implications for Practice:

The clinical trial indicated that collagen dressings can be an effective dressing in patients with chronic wounds to jump start healing.

*Product used was Pluracol Plus Dressing by Medline