Keywords

polyhexamethylene biguanide foam dressing, antimicrobial foam dressing, reduction of bacterial burden and pain in chronic wounds

 

Authors

  1. Sibbald, R. Gary BSc, MD, MEd, FRCPC (Med Derm), MACP, FAAD, MAPWCA
  2. Coutts, Patricia RN, IIWCC
  3. Woo, Kevin Y. PhD, RN, ACNP, GNC(C), FAPWCA

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) foam dressing compared with a similar non-antimicrobial foam for the treatment of superficial bacterial burden, wound-associated pain, and reduction in wound size.

 

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This study was conducted in 2 wound healing clinics-a university hospital-based clinic and a community-based clinic. Forty-five chronic wound subjects, stratified to either foot or leg ulcers, were followed for 5 weeks.

 

METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, double-blind, pilot, randomized controlled clinical trial with 3 study visits (Weeks 0, 2, 4) documented pain and local wound characteristics using NERDS and STONEES clinical criteria to determine superficial bacterial damage or deep/surrounding infection.

 

RESULTS: The use of PHMB foam dressing was a significant predictor of reduced wound superficial bacterial burden (P = .016) at week 4 as compared with the foam alone. Pain reduction was also statistically significant at week 2 (P = .0006) and at week 4 (P = .02) in favor of the PHMB foam dressings. Polymicrobial organisms were recovered at week 4 in 5.3% in the PHMB foam dressing group versus 33% in the control group (P = .04). Subjects randomized to the PHMB foam dressing had a 35% median reduction in wound size by week 4, compared with 28% in the control group.

 

CONCLUSIONS: PHMB foam dressing successfully reduced chronic wound pain and bacterial burden.