In 2019, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reported
that over 77 million individuals have diabetes in India, which
will increase to over 100 million by 2030 (IDF, 2019). Of these
people with diabetes, 25% will develop a diabetic foot ulcer
(DFU), equating to 5 million by 2030. Overall, half of ulcers
become infected during the healing process, necessitating
hospitalisation, while 20% of these patients require amputation.
DFUs contribute to approximately 80% of all non-traumatic
amputations performed annually in India (Ghosh and Valia,
2017). It is indicated that social epidemiology regarding DFU in
India differs from the West due to many factors including socio economic and cultural factors. This can lead to significant delay
in specialist referral, with patients still relying on treatment based
on local ethnic methods and not based on scientific data. This
results in patients presenting with highly infected ulcers (Rastogi
and Bhansali, 2016).
Infections in wound management are closely associated with
delayed healing, increased complications such as amputation,
and, moreover, have a negative impact on patients’ quality of life
(Cutting, 2016; Armstrong et al, 2017). Furthermore, due to the
complications that ensue, infections can increase the economic
burden on healthcare facilities related to wound management
and increase hospital stay (Nussbaum et al, 2018). The overall
management plan for people with DFUs (and for that matter any
chronic wound) should include six spheres: mechanical control
or pressure offloading, medical/metabolic control of the diabetes
and comorbidities, microbiological/infection management,
vascular control ensuring adequate blood flow, wound control
and education aimed at increasing patient awareness of foot care
over their lifetime.
Management of wound infection needs to include understanding
and involvement of the patient’s response and the local wound
healing environment, as well as a reduction of the microbial load
as part of the standard of care. This will include wound cleansing,
debridement, and appropriate use of topical antimicrobials
(International Wound Infection Institute, 2016).
The use of technology lipido-colloid with silver (TLC-Ag) is
supported by high-quality clinical evidence in the management of
wounds at risk or presenting with clinical signs of local infection;
TLC-Ag dressings show superior efficacy in reducing wound
bioburden, while also promoting wound healing. Additionally,
results demonstrate high tolerance and acceptability of TLC-Ag
dressings because of their atraumatic properties (Lazareth et al,
2007; 2008; Schäfer et al, 2008; Lazareth et al, 2012; Allaert,
2014). TLC-Ag dressings with cohesive poly-absorbent fibres
(UrgoClean Ag) have been developed to manage wounds with
higher levels of exudate and trap sloughy residues and can be
used throughout the stages of wound healing (Meaume et al,
2012; 2014; Dissemond al, 2020).
This document showcases the outcomes of UrgoClean Ag
in a real-world environment, demonstrating enhancement in
the management of DFU in India with improvement in wound
conditions and, furthermore, enhancing the patients’ quality
of life and clinicians’ satisfaction. Clinicians and organisations
worldwide need to understand that appropriate wound
management interventions based on high-level evidence should
be used to formulate local guidelines and DFU care pathways
Archives
Evaluation of Technology Lipido Colloid with Silver (TLC-Ag) Dressing Qinzhou (China) A Case Series
Safe management and prevention of wound infection has been
discussed and advocated by expert group consensus documents. Infection
is a significant problem in wound management and early identification
and intervention are considered as key to the patient’s wellbeing and
healing outcomes. Various agents have been applied topically to treat
infected wounds. A well-recognised option is the use of silver as a viable
antimicrobial, and in recent decades, safer modes of application have been
introduced. Here we discuss three cases from Qinzhou (China), where the
author evaluated a Technology Lipido-Colloid with silver (TLC-Ag) dressing.
Positive outcomes were reported in all cases, concordant with the clinical
outcomes documented in publications the results of other publications both
from Europe and Asia.
Management of Burn patients with Technology Lipido-Colloid with Silver Sulphate to Fight Local Infection and Restore the Healing Process
Burn wounds are predisposed to infection and topical antimicrobial
preparations are used both to prevent and treat infection. The choice
of topical antimicrobial should be based on the ability of the agent to
inhibit microorganisms that may be harmful within the wound bed and
on the host. Silver is indicated when a local negative impact of bacterial
colonisation is suspected and/or confirmed, because it has a broad
antimicrobial effect. Technology Lipido-Colloid (TLC) is a matrix containing
hydrocolloid and lipophilic substances that has been shown to promote
the proliferation of fibroblasts and to be atraumatic for patients. TLC-Ag
incorporates silver sulphate (3.5%) into the TLC matrix. When it is in contact
with the wound, the dressing releases a constant supply of antibacterial
silver. This article will discuss the use of antimicrobials in burn wound
management, show the evidence for the TLC-Ag antimicrobial healing
matrix and portray outcomes of cases of burns patients in India who have
been managed with TLC-Ag.
The Use of a Non-adherent Lipido-Colloid Dressings with Silver in the Management of Wounds
Silver has been used in wound care throughout the millennia for its
antimicrobial properties. It was used by many cultures, predominantly in
times of war, as an antimicrobial reservoir for food and water, from the
ancient Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Egyptians, up to the Second
World War (Alexander, 2009). The first mention of silver as a medicine
comes from Hippocrates, who used silver particles in wounds for its
beneficial therapeutic effects and anti-disease properties (Fong, 2005).
Meanwhile, John Woodall recommended the use of silver nitrate in
chronic wound management as early as 1617 (Klasen, 2000)
URGOTUL® AG/Silver Dressing as an Intermediate Layer in Negative Pressure Wound Therapy in a Patient with a Chronic Wound and History of Multiple Laparotomies
Treating of postoperative complications in patients after numerous laparotomies is
difficult. In the case of dehiscence the surgical wound, infection and the coexisting formation of
intestinal fistulas requires a multidisciplinary approach. In these cases, vacuum assisted thera py is very useful. However, it is necessary to protect the intestines, fistula and surrounding tissu es from the action of polyurethane foam – protect the intestines and skin against ingrowing into
the black foam. A 54-years-old male patient, with a history of numerous laparotomies was admit ted to Clinic to treat complications after left-sided nephrectomy. The patient developed intestinal
and enterocutaneous fistulas. Wound dehiscence and necrosis of surrounding tissues was pre sent. Negative pressure wound therapy was applied. Dressing was changed three times. Correc tion of the stomy was performed. UrgoTul® Ag/Silver was applied each time between the wound
and the polyurethane foam as a protective intermediate layer. The use of UrgoTul® Ag/Silver (in
patients with infection, dehiscence of wounds, and with enterocutaneous fistulas) showed a si gnificant decrease in the secretion from the intestinal fistula. Healing and closure of the surgical
wound, its epithelialization and elimination of inflammation of the abdominal wall was observed.
Wound management with Technology Lipido-Colloid Silver Non-Adherent dressing a case series from Chinese clinicians
Prevention and appropriate management of wound infection is central
to promote the healing process. While not all wounds will necessitate
use of systemic antibiotics, some may benefit from the use of topical
antimicrobials as part of a holistic standard of care. This article describes
five different cases, from China, where the clinicians used Technology
Lipido-Colloid Silver Non-Adherent (TLC-Ag) dressings as part of their
holistic multidisciplinary wound management strategy. The wounds
discussed were mainly chronic, including two venous leg ulcers and
lymphoedema ulcer, a post-amputation wound as well as a case of
pyoderma gangrenosum. Managing these wounds with TLC-Ag as a part
of the standard holistic multidisciplinary care provided resulted in positive
outcomes for the patients.
Silver Dressings for the Healing of Venous Leg Ulcer a Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review
Abstract
This study was aimed to evaluate whether silver-containing dressings were superior to other types of dressings in the treatment of
venous leg ulcers (VLU) and their specific advantages.
Eight databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid-Medline, Wanfang, VIP, China Biology Medicine, and China
National Knowledge Infrastructure) were systematically reviewed from inception to May 2019 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
The primary outcome was complete wound healing, and the secondary outcomes included absolute wound size changes (change of
cm2 area since baseline), relative changes (percentage change of area relative to baseline), and healing rate. Two reviewers
independently evaluated the risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration assessment tool and extracted the data according to the
predesigned table. All analyses were performed using the latest Review Manager Software (version 5.3).
A total of 8 studies qualified and were included in the meta-analysis, including 1057 patients (experiment: 526, control: 531). Both
complete wound healing and wound healing rates were reported in 5 studies. Two and 3 studies reported the effect of silver
dressings on absolute and relative wound size changes, respectively. Most of the studies used intention-to-treat analysis.
There was sufficient evidence that silver-containing dressings can accelerate the healing rate of chronic VLU and improve their
healing in a short duration of time. However, compared with other dressings, clinical trials with long-term follow-up data are needed to
confirm whether silver dressings have advantages regarding complete wound healing.
Abbreviations: CBM = China Biology Medicine, CI = confidence interval, CNKI = China National Knowledge Infrastructure,
PRISMA = Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis, Q test = Chi-Squared test, RCTs = randomized
controlled trials, RD = risk difference, SMD = standardized mean difference, VLU = venous leg ulcers, WMD = weighted mean
difference.
Keywords: silver dressings, venous leg ulcer, wound healing, meta-analysis
Clinical Evaluation of Technology Lipido-Colloid in the Management of Acute Wounds in China
Wound management has evolved from considering wound
dressings as a means to provide protection to a medium that enhances
wound healing and also takes into consideration patient aspects such as
atraumatic removal. Technology-lipido colloid (TLC) is described as a healing
matrix as it stimulates fibroblasts, which is achieved through maintaining a
moist wound environment. It also provides atraumatic removal, thus it not
only protects the wound but avoids unnecessary pain for the patients. This
article discusses five cases from China where the TLC was used on a variety
of wounds with positive outcomes both for the wound and the patients.
The Importance of Pain Reduction through Dressing Selection in Routine Wound Management The MAPP Study
Objective: To discover the incidence of pain in patients with acute or chronic wounds of various
causes during dressing removal, and the effect of switching to a non-adherent dressing.
l Method: A total of 656 primary care physicians reported the relevant details of all acute or chronic
wounds observed during routine visits throughout the study period. The pain experienced during
dressing changes was systematically evaluated. In patients with moderate to severe pain, a more
extensive evaluation was performed and they were invited to complete a self-evaluation questionnaire.
If the patients were seen at a subsequent visit, a new evaluation was performed.
l Results: In total 5850 patients were seen: 2914 with acute wounds and 2936 with chronic wounds.
During dressing changes, a similar number of patients with acute and chronic wounds reported
‘moderate to severe’ pain during the medical screening visit (79.9% and 79.7%) and ‘very severe’ pain in
their self-evaluation questionnaire completed at home (47% and 59% respectively). Dressing removal
was most painful when there was adherence to the wound bed. Switching to a new, non-adherent
dressing reduced pain during dressing changes in 88% of patients with chronic wounds and 95% of
patients with acute wounds.
l Conclusion: This study demonstrates that similar problems with patient acceptability arise
irrespective of wound aetiology. Pain is a major problem and is most often related to dressing selection.
Selecting a suitable, non-adherent dressing improves patient acceptability.
Evaluation of a Lipido-Colloid Wound Dressing in the Local Management of Leg Ulcers
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy, tolerance and acceptability of Urgotul and DuoDERM E dressings
in the local management of venous or mixed-aetiology leg ulcers.
l Method: This was a prospective multicentre randomised phase IV clinical trial conducted open-label
in parallel groups. It involved 20 investigating centres, including hospital dermatology and vascular
medicine departments, and private practices. Dermatologists and angiologists/phlebologists took part.
Subjects were adult, non-immunosuppressed patients presenting with a non-infected, non-malignant leg
ulcer of predominantly venous origin (ABPI >0.8). Ulcers were between 4cm2 and 40cm2 in size, with
granulation tissue covering more than 50% of their surface area. Ulcer duration ranged from three to
18 months. Patients were followed-up by the investigating physician for eight weeks on a weekly basis;
this included clinical examination, wound area tracings and photographs. Nurses (hospital or visiting)
assessed exudate volume and clinical appearance at dressing changes.
l Results: Ninety-one patients were included: 47 in the Urgotul group and 44 in the DuoDERM E
group. Baseline patient demographic data and wound characteristics were comparable in the two groups.
After eight weeks of treatment wound surface area had reduced by a mean of 61.3% in the Urgotul
group and 52.1% in the DuoDERM E group (NS); dressings were changed more frequently in the
DuoDERM E group (2.54 ± 0.57 times per week versus 2.31 ± 0.45 in the Urgotul group, p=0.047).
Thirty-three local adverse events were recorded in 27 patients: 10 in the Urgotul group and 23 in the
DuoDERM E group (p=0.039). Nurses reported better acceptability for the Urgotul dressing, based on
pain on removal, maceration and odour (p<0.0001).
l Conclusion: Both dressings showed similar efficacy for the local treatment of venous leg ulcers.
Nevertheless, medical and nursing staff reported better tolerance and acceptability for the
Urgotul dressing.
