Abstract: The Effectiveness of Active Leptospermum Honey and a Novel Super-Absorbent Hydrogel Colloidal Sheet in Managing Challenging Lower Extremity Wounds; A Case Study Series (44th Annual Conference (June 9-13, 2012))

Argelia Welber, RN, BSN, CWOCN, CMSRN¹, Carmel A. Celestin, M.D., F.S.V.M.², Mehrdad M. Farid, M.D., R.V.T.² and Bernardo B. Fernandez, M.D., F.A.C.P.³, (1)Cleveland Clinic Florida, Wound Care Nurse Clinician, Department of Vascular Medicine, Weston, FL, (2)Cleveland Clinic Florida, Physician, Weston, FL, (3)Cleveland Clinic Florida, Department Chair, C.E.O. Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL

Complex lower extremity (LE) wounds of various etiologies are managed at our LE Vascular Medicine Wound Clinic. Identification of causative factors, surgical and sharp debridement, use of medications and compression along with adjunctive therapies and education are all part of comprehensive treatment plans. Topical dressing choice also plays an important role.

This series of six patient cases focuses on topical wound care, in particular, the use of Active Leptospermum Honey (ALH) and a novel Super-Absorbent Hydrogel Colloidal Sheet Dressing (HCS). The patients were chosen due to chronicity of wounds despite other advanced methods of treatment including but not limited to collagen dressings, silver dressings, enzymatic debriders, silicone foam dressings, and compression. The patients had multiple co-morbidities and non-adherence to medical advice impacting healing. The new plan of care consisting of ALH plus HCS was chosen to assess if topical dressing choices would speed healing, reduce pain, and reduce periwound maceration.

In evaluating the outcomes, it is evident that even with the varied population, wound types, and co-morbidities a common outcome was the reduction in wound areas of at least 30% in two weeks after the addition of ALH with HCS, despite having been non-healing with previous topical dressing choices. Wound depth and undermining also improved. Decreased or elimination of maceration was accomplished in all cases using HCS as well as pain reduction, especially during dressing removal. HCS was found to be conformable and versatile with a significant ability to absorb under compression, a benefit compared to various foams previously utilized. All patients verbalized satisfaction with the improvement in the wounds.

Further research is suggested with a more homogeneous group, focusing on healing times along with additional studies using HCS as the primary dressing.

6105 The Effectiveness of Active Leptospermum Honey and a Novel Super-Absorbent Hydrogel Colloidal Sheet in Managing Challenging Lower Extremity Wounds; A Case Study Series