Effect of Concentrated Surfactant Gel-based Dressing on the Wound Bed in Patients with Burn and Chronic Wounds

Introduction: An important criterion for wound healing is the presence of a clean wound bed. Wound dressings that aid in creating optimal moist wound healing environment help to protect healthy tissue and soften wound debris. One such agent is the Concentrated surfactant gel (CSG)-based dressing. This dressing is completely water-soluble and promotes autolytic debridement, thereby promoting wound healing. It also helps in minimizing pain during dressing changes as it can be easily rinsed off with saline or regular wound cleansers during dressing changes.

Objective: This case series evaluated the efficacy of a CSG dressing in creating and maintaining a moist environment for wound healing in patients with burn and chronic wounds.

Method: In this case series four patients are reported; a second-degree burn, a necrotic wound, a chronic lower extremity ulceration, and a lower extremity venous hypertensive ulceration. Each patient was treated with CSG after prior treatments did not demonstrate adequate progression towards wound closure. Patients were treated with CSG daily for one to six weeks. Wound assessments were conducted by examining the wound bed for development of granulation tissue and re-epithelialization of the wound. Pain during dressing changes was evaluated and signs of infection were monitored.

Results: After treatment with CSG, all the patients demonstrated improvement, including dramatic development of granulation tissue and re-epithelialization of the wound. There was no wound undermining, and no periwound erythema or maceration observed. Patients experienced minimal to no pain during dressing changes. None of the patients showed any adverse events or signs of infection.

Conclusions: Data collected from the case series indicated that CSG supported wound healing after standard of care wound management had not resulted in progression towards wound closure and use of a CSG was well tolerated in patients with burn and chronic wounds. Patients had a positive dressing change experience due to no or minimal pain.