Healing results of chronic lesions after treatment with a new debriding agent, Topical Desiccation Agent

Introduction: Debridement, the removal of biofilm and necrosis, is an essential step in wound healing since, with these detrimental aspects present, (chronic) wounds will not heal. Debridement can be performed in many different ways, with surgical debridement generally acknowledged to be the most effective technique. This type of debridement, however, requires specific expertise and is relative expensive.

Material: Topical desiccation agent (TDA) is an active gel that contains a potent hygroscopic acidic species. When in contact with microorganisms and necrosis, rapid desiccation, and carbonization of the proteins in these microorganisms, as well as of the extracellular matrix of biofilms and necrosis occurs. TDA is specifically designed to be as, or even more, effective than surgical debridement, but without the side effects and the cost aspects.

Results: 54 mostly large and serious lesions, of different etiologies, including 12 (22%) Wagner III/IV diabetic foot ulcers were treated with a one-time application of TDA, followed by weekly dressing changes. The average age of the patients was 72.0 yrs (39-94) and many had serious comorbidities. All lesions were on the lower leg or the foot. Data were analyzed retrospectively. 100% of the venous leg ulcers, 75.0% of the diabetic foot ulcers and 100% of the post trauma lesions reached complete granulation. 75% of the diabetic foot ulcers, 72.7% of the venous ulcers and 77.7% of the post-traumatic lesions reached complete healing, as did the one ischemic and two vasculitis ulcers.

Conclusion: The healing results of these lesions are very encouraging: a simple one-time application of TDA resulted in a high percentage of healing of lesions that were relatively large and in a relatively old population, with many of the patients suffering from serious comorbidities. A randomized controlled trial is being conducted to confirm these results.