(CS-145) The Use of an Iodophor Foam Dressing in the Treatment of Complex Difficult to Heal Wounds

Introduction: The chemical iodine has been shown to be effective in reducing bioburden. In iodophor wound dressings, free iodine dissociates from a polymer and is released into the dressing in a controlled manner. One available iodophor wound dressing is a slow-release absorptive foam dressing that is complexed with iodine and includes a visual indicator to indicate the depletion of the iodine supply. The dressing is effective in treating both acute and chronic wounds.

Methods: A retrospective case series was performed at a large advanced wound care center to evaluate the use of the iodophor foam dressing in the treatment of complex and difficult to heal wounds over treatment periods across 12 months. The iodophor foam dressing was applied directly to the wound after prior debridement, cauterization with silver nitrate, or thorough wound cleansing only. Light compression was applied to wounds as needed.

Results: Three patients were included in this case series and presented with complex wounds of sickle cell disease related etiology. Patient outcomes demonstrated that the complex wounds of all three patients healed completely with the use of the iodophor foam dressing. Epithelization was observed in a left dorsal foot wound within one month of treatment with the iodophor foam dressing. Two complex wounds at the left anterior distal lower extremity and the right anterior distal lower extremity required longer treatment timelines (10 months and four months, respectively) due to the persistent development of hypergranulation tissue. However, treatment with the iodophor foam dressing reduced hypergranulation and promoted epithelialization and eventual wound closure in these wounds.

Discussion: The results from this retrospective case series demonstrated that application of the iodophor foam dressing is safe and effective in promoting the wound healing of complex and difficult to heal wounds. Each of the three complex wounds included in this case series demonstrated full epithelialization and wound closure with the consistent use of the iodophor foam dressing. The dressing was also found to be tolerated well by patients and the visual indicator for dressing change provided a useful tool for patients performing dressing changes at home.