(LR-008) A pure Hypochlorous Acid (pHA) preserved cleanser does not need to be rinsed from wounds post application: what is the chemistry behind that observation?

Introduction: Wound Cleansing an important part of wound bed preparation. Clinical/preclinical evidence shows that a pure Hypochlorous Acid (pHA) preserved cleanser has proven ability to remove germs, biofilm, and necrotic debris. Time and resources are at a premium, and the need to rinse a cleanser due to safety reasons puts time and resource burdens. Though many cleansers, are required to be rinsed off, we aim to show that the pHA cleanser need not be rinsed post application.

Methods: A critical literature survey was done on how hypochlorous acid does not linger, is relatively non cytotoxic. Animal tissue in ex vivo experiments, was exposed to pHA cleanser, and the presence/absence of the hypochlorous acid on tissue was monitored over time and reported. hypochlorous acid in physiological concentrations is not analyzable at detectable levels post application to the tissue within a matter of minutes.

Results: Literature survey indicates that when pHA is applied, it may be able to remove germs quickly, but will dissipate within seconds. When pHA is applied on animal tissue is not analyzable (falls to zero) within minutes as the HA antimicrobial preservative is rapidly consumed by the wound/tissue and other organic matter in tissue including germs.

Discussion: the findings of both our literature survey and our preclinical bench work is clear. The fate of HA or hypochlorous acid, present in pHA cleaner is important to appreciate. We prove via our experimental model that mimics the application of pHA in a wound tissue, the hypochlorous acid dissipates rapidly to a saline like liquid. This confirms the rationale behind not requiring to rinse the pHA post application to the wound. This has implications in terms of saving wound healing resources in both time and money and also explains the relative non cytotoxicity of the pHA cleanser.