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Bakker O, Smits P, van Weersch C, Quaaden M, Bruls E, van Loon A, van der Kleij J. Improved Wound Healing by Direct Cold Atmospheric Plasma Once or Twice a Week: A Randomized Controlled Trial on Chronic Venous Leg Ulcers. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle) 2024. [PMID: 38687339 DOI: 10.1089/wound.2023.0196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study compared the effect of two frequencies of direct cold atmospheric plasma (direct-CAP) treatment with standard of care (SOC) alone on healing of venous leg ulcers (VLUs). Approach: Open-label, randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04922463) on chronic VLUs at two home care organizations in the Netherlands. All three groups received SOC for 12 weeks or until healing. In addition, treatment groups received direct-CAP once (1× direct-CAP) or twice (2× direct-CAP) a week, at specialized wound care facilities and the patients' residences. Primary outcome was percentage of wounds healed. Secondary outcomes included wound area reduction and adverse events. Results: In total, 46 patients were randomly allocated to receive SOC only (n = 15), SOC + direct-CAP once a week (n = 17), or SOC + direct-CAP twice a week (n = 14). A higher percentage of wounds healed within 12 weeks in the treatment groups 53.3% (1× direct-CAP, p = 0.16) and 61.5% (2× direct-CAP, p = 0.08) versus 25.0% (control). The largest wound area reduction was obtained with 2× direct-CAP (95.2%, p = 0.07), followed by 1× direct-CAP (63.9%, p = 0.58), versus control (52.8%). Absolute wound area reduced significantly compared with baseline in both treatment groups (p ≤ 0.001), not in control (p = 0.11). No device-related serious adverse events occurred. Innovation: Direct-CAP applied once or twice a week could substantially improve wound healing of VLUs in primary care. Conclusion: Together with other clinical safety and efficacy data, these results support the integration of direct-CAP as a valuable therapy for complex wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olaf Bakker
- St. Antonius hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
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Răducu L, Moraru OE, Gheoca-Mutu DE, Peligrad T, Țigăran AE, Abu-Baker A, Ion DE, Ursuț BM, Jecan CR, Avino A. Confronting a New Challenge in Plastic Surgery: MDR Infections in Patients with Chronic Wounds. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:444. [PMID: 38672715 PMCID: PMC11050788 DOI: 10.3390/life14040444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The presence of a wound can be anywhere from non-problematic to life-threatening on a severity spectrum, with bacterial infection and resistance playing a major role in the development of chronicity, delaying wound healing. Wound colonization with multiple organisms and the limited number of effective antibiotics place a heavy burden on the healthcare system, with patients going through multiple surgeries during a prolonged hospitalization time. By analyzing the resistance patterns of pluri-bacterial populations and the approach used in managing complex cases, we aim to improve the protocols applied in caring for chronic wounds in our practice and share our experiences and observations. METHODS We designed a retrospective study on 212 diabetic and non-diabetic patients, aiming to evaluate the course of chronic wound treatment in our practice. We focused on the impact that MDR bacteria and diabetes have on surgical outcomes and their role in the healing process. RESULTS Patients who received empiric antibiotic therapy before being admitted eventually presented with multiple MDR bacteria compared to those who did not receive antibiotics (p = 0.014). The presence of at least one MDR bacteria in the wound bed was associated with ulcers reaching bone (p = 0.02) and was positively correlated with the number of surgeries performed (p < 0.001). Diabetes played a significant role in surgery-related complications (p = 0.02) and hospitalization time (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Proper management of chronic wounds requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach and a thorough understanding of antibiotic usage. To address this need, we have developed and implemented a chronic wound treatment protocol in our clinic, with the goal of discharging patients once their ulcers have been treated and closed. A key summary of the protocol presented is to reduce the incidence of MDR bacteria and improve the patient's quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Răducu
- Discipline of Plastic Surgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (L.R.); (C.-R.J.); (A.A.)
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, “Prof. Dr. Agrippa Ionescu” Emergency Clinical Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; (D.-E.G.-M.); (A.-E.Ț.); (A.A.-B.); (D.-E.I.)
| | - Oriana Elena Moraru
- Discipline of Cardiovascular Surgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Vascular Surgery, “Prof. Dr. Agrippa Ionescu” Emergency Clinical Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Daniela-Elena Gheoca-Mutu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, “Prof. Dr. Agrippa Ionescu” Emergency Clinical Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; (D.-E.G.-M.); (A.-E.Ț.); (A.A.-B.); (D.-E.I.)
- Discipline of Anatomy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Teodora Peligrad
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, “Prof. Dr. Agrippa Ionescu” Emergency Clinical Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; (D.-E.G.-M.); (A.-E.Ț.); (A.A.-B.); (D.-E.I.)
| | - Andrada-Elena Țigăran
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, “Prof. Dr. Agrippa Ionescu” Emergency Clinical Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; (D.-E.G.-M.); (A.-E.Ț.); (A.A.-B.); (D.-E.I.)
| | - Abdalah Abu-Baker
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, “Prof. Dr. Agrippa Ionescu” Emergency Clinical Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; (D.-E.G.-M.); (A.-E.Ț.); (A.A.-B.); (D.-E.I.)
- Doctoral School, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Daniela-Elena Ion
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, “Prof. Dr. Agrippa Ionescu” Emergency Clinical Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; (D.-E.G.-M.); (A.-E.Ț.); (A.A.-B.); (D.-E.I.)
| | - Bogdan Mihai Ursuț
- Discipline of Anatomy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania;
- Department of General Surgery, “Prof. Dr. Agrippa Ionescu” Emergency Clinical Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristian-Radu Jecan
- Discipline of Plastic Surgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (L.R.); (C.-R.J.); (A.A.)
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, “Prof. Dr. Agrippa Ionescu” Emergency Clinical Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; (D.-E.G.-M.); (A.-E.Ț.); (A.A.-B.); (D.-E.I.)
| | - Adelaida Avino
- Discipline of Plastic Surgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (L.R.); (C.-R.J.); (A.A.)
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, “Prof. Dr. Agrippa Ionescu” Emergency Clinical Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; (D.-E.G.-M.); (A.-E.Ț.); (A.A.-B.); (D.-E.I.)
- Doctoral School, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
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Lee A, Woodmansey E, Klopfenstein B, O'Leary JL, Cole W. Remote assessment and monitoring with advanced wound therapy to optimise clinical outcomes, access and resources. J Wound Care 2024; 33:90-101. [PMID: 38329827 DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2024.33.2.90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patients in rural communities may have limited access to wound care; however, this may be mitigated by using a shared care approach. This study assessed the impact of a remote assessment and monitoring tool in combination with adjunctive continuous topical oxygen therapy (cTOT) in patients with diabetes and hard-to-heal wounds. METHOD Patients with hard-to-heal wounds (defined as no visible improvement in the previous four weeks) were enrolled to this 12-week pilot study to validate a shared care approach using an Advanced Digital Wound Care Platform-telehealth (ADWCPt) system (eKare Inc., US) coupled with cTOT. Patient and wound assessments were reviewed by the clinician either remotely, via telehealth calls, or at the clinic, and the number of face-to-face clinic visits was recorded. Patient health status scores were captured before and after the study, along with feedback on usability of the remote platform and cTOT device. RESULTS The wounds in all eight patients studied reduced in size over 12 weeks (mean percentage area reduction 92.0%), and two wounds were completely re-epithelialised. Another wound almost healed (99.2% wound area reduction). Clinical interactions consisted of self-assessments (n=80, 50.0%), video assessments with the clinician (n=27, 16.9%), and face-to-face interactions in clinic (n=53, 33.1%). Operational efficiencies encompassed a 54.0% increase in the number of clinical interactions, whereas clinical time was reduced by 25.8%. Health status scores improved across all eight patients and feedback on the shared approach and cTOT device was favourable. CONCLUSION A shared care model with ADWCPt coupled with an innovative cTOT device saved time and resources, improving patient access and engagement, along with a marked improvement in the wound healing trajectory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliza Lee
- Salem VA Health Care System, Virginia, US
| | | | | | - Jessica L O'Leary
- University of Florida, College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida, US
| | - Windy Cole
- Natrox Wound Care Cambridge, UK
- College of Podiatric Medicine, Kent University, Ohio, US
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Gray D, Stanton J, Rouncivell D, McRobert J. Venous and lymphovenous lower limb wound outcomes in specialist UK wound and lymphoedema clinics. BRITISH JOURNAL OF NURSING (MARK ALLEN PUBLISHING) 2023; 32:S12-S18. [PMID: 37596073 DOI: 10.12968/bjon.2023.32.15.s12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
This article explores the impact of combining tissue viability and lymphoedema techniques on optimising time to healing. AIM To investigate the healing rates observed in patients who presented to wound and lymphoedema specialist clinics, located in the south eastern region of England, with venous/lymphovenous ulceration of the lower limb during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2022 (30 months in all). METHODOLOGY A retrospective analysis of patient outcomes. RESULTS 1041 patients were referred to the service, with a healing rate of 88.5% over 78 days. DISCUSSION When comparing 2013-2019 healing rates/time to healing vs 2020-2022 there was a decrease of 1.5% in the rate of healing and a mean reduction in time to healing of 40 days. CONCLUSION Despite the pandemic the service was able to maintain previous levels of outcomes and observed a decrease in the mean time to healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Gray
- Managing Partner, Pioneer Sussex Wound Healing and Lymphoedema Centres / Professor of Wound Study, Wound Healing and Practice Development Unit, Birmingham City University
| | - Julie Stanton
- Director of Nursing (Community), Pioneer Sussex Wound Healing and Lymphoedema Centres
| | - David Rouncivell
- Data Manager, Pioneer Sussex Wound Healing and Lymphoedema Centres
| | - John McRobert
- Clinical Director of Research, Pioneer Sussex Wound Healing and Lymphoedema Centres
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