Treatment of Skin Tears Using Transforming Powder Dressing: Retrospective Analysis of Outcomes

Introduction: Skin tears are acute wounds observed especially in the elderly population and conflict zones, caused by mechanical forces as a result of shear, friction, and blunt trauma resulting in separation of skin layers.2 Although the exact prevalence is unknown, evidence suggests that skin tears are common and underestimated.1,3  They have a high risk of developing into complex, chronic wounds,3 causing pain, increasing length of hospitalization, increasing health costs and negatively impact quality of life.4 Best practice recommendations for skin tear wound dressings include moisture balance, exudate management, optimization of caregiver time, and atraumatic removal.4  Transforming powder dressing (TPD) is an extended wear powder dressing comprised primarily of polymers similar to those used in contact lenses, that when hydrated, aggregate to form a moist oxygen-permeable barrier that covers and protects the wound, including all of the features recommended for dressing skin tears.Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, institutional review board approved study of wounds that were treated with TPD over a 2-year period (2019-2021) in a large US teaching hospital.  Patients >18 years, who had wounds treated with TPD and had at least one follow-up visit were identified using billing data and included in the study.  All wounds had been cleaned or debrided per standard of care before TPD was applied, then covered with a contact layer and gauze dressing. Patients were assessed from the first TPD application up to one month after the last TPD application or until the wound healed or lost to follow up, whichever came first.  Results:A total of 50 patients were included in the study, of which 7 had skin tears. Mean skin tear wound area was 30.3cm2 (range 3.5 to 105 cm2). The average TPD applications was 2.6 per wound. Complete healing (during the observation period) was 71% (n=5). No adverse effects were observed.Discussion: TPD was used to treat a variety of wounds in this study, including the skin tear cohort, of which most went on to full healing, without complications. TPD meets recommended skin tear guidelines for wound dressings and should be considered when caring for patients with skin tears.  References:1. LeBlanc K, Langemo D, Woo K et al. Skin tears: prevention and management. Published Online: 3Sep2019 | https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2019.24.Ssup9.S12 2. LeBlanc, K. Baranoski S, Christensen D. et al. International Skin Tear Advisory Panel. A Toll Kit to Aid in the Prevention, Assessment, and Treatment of Skin Tears Using a Simplified Classification System. Advances in Skin & Wound Care 26(10);p 459-476, October 2013. |DOI:10.1097/0!. ASW.0000434056.04071.68. 3. Stephen-Haynes J. Prevention of skin tears: intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Br J Nurs. 2023 Nov 1;32 (Sup20);S22-S28. Doi: 10.12968/bjon.2023.32.Sup20.S22. 4. LeBlanc K et al. Best practice recommendations for the prevention and management of skin tears in aged skin. Wounds International 2018. Available to download from www. woundsinternational.com. Accessed 29May2024.