Bacterial biofilms often compromise healing in hard-to-heal wounds. This leads to an increased risk of infection. Traditional antimicrobial agents and systemic antibiotics are often used to manage such wounds despite the fact that therapeutic success with these agents is uncertain.

Metcalf and Bowler recently conducted a study to ascertain the clinical impact of a novel anti-biofilm Hydrofiber wound dressing in hard-to-heal wounds previously treated unsuccessfully with traditional silver, iodine or polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) dressings and products and/or systemic antibiotics.

Investigators carried out clinical case study evaluations of the anti-biofilm dressing. Deteriorating or stagnant wounds were selected and primary dressings were replaced by the anti-biofilm dressing for up to 4 weeks, or as considered clinically appropriate. Monitoring was done by means of case report forms.

Sixty-five cases were included in the study with wounds ranging in duration from 1 week to 20 years (median: 12 months). The wounds were stagnant in nearly 72% cases, 23% were deteriorating, while 3 wounds were not recorded. Following 4.2 weeks of management on average with the anti-biofilm dressing (range: 1-11 weeks), the wounds had healed, i.e., showed complete wound closure, in 17% cases, 62% wounds improved, 14% remained the same, and 8% wounds deteriorated.

The anti-biofilm dressing use in the protocols of care that previously involved wound management with traditional antimicrobial products and/or antibiotics appeared to facilitate improvements in the healing status of most hard-to-heal wounds. Dressings with proven anti-biofilm technology, combining antimicrobial silver and exudate management technology, have potential in wound healing in such hard-to-heal wounds.

The researchers stated that antimicrobial wound dressings containing anti-biofilm technology may play a pivotal role in effective wound management and antibiotic stewardship.

Source: Metcalf DG, Bowler PG. Clinical impact of an anti-biofilm Hydrofiber dressing in hard-to-heal wounds previously managed with traditional antimicrobial products and systemic antibiotics. Burns Trauma. 2020 Mar 4;8:tkaa004.