Kick start stalled wounds: Case series evaluating an innovative new fluid delivery system for wound healing

For nearly a half century the benefits of moist wound healing have been compared with dry techniques(1).  The benefits of moisture balance are key in the healing process. We tested a new dressing designed to provide a moist wound environment through the introduction of a small volume of topical solution. The system includes a semi-occlusive dressing and an innovative pocket-size delivery device. Below are three of the 15 patients who received 57 procedures.

#1: 47 y.o. diabetic male: laparoscopic repair of a ventral hernia, dehisced leaving a chronic, non-healing open wound. Preliminary healing occurred, but had a setback (increase in size of the wound 0.14 cm2/day for 9 weeks). The wound then stalled for 19.6 weeks with a 0.01 cm2/day decrease.  The system was applied using 3% gentamicin solution showing a decrease of 0.2 cm2/day; closed in 2.6 weeks.

#2: 50 y.o. male (diabetic, obesity, edema and peripheral neuropathy) had a non-healing ulcer on his left medial calf. After the system was applied using 3% gentamicin solution, the wound decreased in size at a rate of 0.08 cm2/day over the next 7.2 weeks. The device was removed with wound closure 9.2 weeks later.

#3: 26 y.o. female (venous stasis disease and morbid obesity) had a traumatic injury to her right shin. A tunnel developed with an initial area measurement of 1.95 cm2 and depth of 1 cm. When the tunnel was packed with a silver collagen dressing and the system applied (using sterile water), the tract decrease by 0.22 cm2/day; healed in 3 weeks.

Conclusion: This new system of instilling a small volume of solution shows great promise in improved healing rates either by maintaining a moist environment or with addition of slow release of antiseptic solution.