Logo image
Back
Use of low-frequency contact ultrasonic debridement with and without polyhexamethylene biguanide in hard-to-heal leg ulcers: an RCT
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Use of low-frequency contact ultrasonic debridement with and without polyhexamethylene biguanide in hard-to-heal leg ulcers: an RCT

Alison Vallejo, Marianne Wallis and David McMillan
Journal of Wound Care, Vol.31(8), pp.670-681
2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12968/jowc.2022.31.8.670
PMID: 36001700
url
https://doi.org/10.12968/jowc.2022.31.8.670View
Published Version

Abstract

chronic debridement hard-to-heal leg uncers low-frequency contact ultrasonic debridement PHMB polyhexamethylene biguanide randomised controlled trial ulcer wound wound care wound healing
Objective: The primary aim of this research was to investigate the combination effect of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) and low-frequency contact ultrasonic debridement (LFCUD) on the bacterial load in hard-to-heal wounds in adults, compared with ultrasonic debridement alone. Secondary outcomes included wound healing, quality of life (QoL) and pain scores. Method: In this single-blinded, randomised, controlled trial participants were randomised to two groups. All participants received LFCUD weekly for six weeks, plus six weeks of weekly follow-up. The intervention group received an additional 15-minute topical application of PHMB post-LFCUD, at each dressing change and in a sustained dressing product. The control group received non-antimicrobial products and the wounds were cleansed with clean water or saline. Wound swabs were taken from all wounds for microbiological analysis at weeks 1, 3, 6 and 12. Results: A total of 50 participants took part. The intervention group (n=25) had a lower bacterial load at week 12 compared with the control group (n=25) (p<0.001). There was no difference in complete wound healing between the groups (p=0.47) or wound-related QoL (p=0.15). However, more wounds deteriorated in the control group (44%) compared with the intervention group (8%, p=0.01). A higher proportion of wounds reduced in size in the intervention group (61% versus 12%, p=0.019). Pain was lower in the intervention group at week six, compared with controls (p=0.04). Conclusion: LFCUD without the addition of an antimicrobial agent such as PHMB, cannot be recommended. Further research requires longer follow-up time and would benefit from being powered sufficiently to test the effects of multiple covariates.

Details

Metrics

98 Record Views
4 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Web Of Science research areas
Dermatology

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

Source: SDGs from InCites

Logo image