(CS-053) A debriding gel in the treatment of post-trauma, non-healing lesions.

Introduction: Most non-healing skin lesions are venous leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers. They are typically characterized by a state of hyperinflammation, related to an underlying etiology (i.e., microangiopathy) and the presence of necrosis and biofilm. Treatment/elimination of the underlying etiology may be complicated and sometimes impossible, but detrimental effects of necrosis and biofilm can be negated by debridement.

Skin traumata can also stall in their healing process. Among other factors, the type and location of the lesion, aged and fragile skin, the presence of exposed structures such as bone or tendon, and/or infection may contribute to this non-healing phenomenon. Certain wounds (i.e., pretibial lacerations, skin loss over the Achilles tendon, particularly in the elderly) are especially prone to these healing problems.

Methods: Topical desiccation agent (TDA) is an acid with a powerful hygroscopic action. Upon contact with water a strong exothermic reaction breaks many of the atomic bonds within proteins, causing breakdown and rapid desloughing, usually within 1-3 days, leaving a wound bed, ready to granulate.

Results: Nine post-trauma, non-healing wounds (average wound age: 5.6 months) on the lower legs were treated with TDA. Patients were 77 years old on average. The average size of the lesion was 15,9 cm².

Granulation was complete in all lesions in, on average, 34,1 days and complete reepithelialization took 69,8 days on average. There were no test-product related adverse events.

Discussion: These data suggest TDA treatment is an effective and efficient way to debride lesions, preparing them for healing by secondary intention or grafting.