Case Series/Study

(CS-060) Use of an Advanced Collagen Powder to Close Non-Healing Wounds Following Amputation

Co-Author(s):

Brennen O'Dell, DPM – Podiatry Fellow

Introduction: <span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Chronic wounds are a significant health issue that impacts millions of patients each year by adding to overall patient morbidity and reducing the quality of life. Treatment strategies and new technologies that can improve the healing rates of stalled wounds have the potential to lessen the burden chronic wounds place on patients and healthcare providers, and reduce healthcare costs. This case report studies the use of a novel collagen powder product on stalled wounds of an elderly patient with compromised healing potential. Methods: <span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">An 83-year-old male with a history of peripheral arterial disease was referred for management of gangrenous digits on the right foot following repair of a dissecting aneurysm of the ascending thoracic aorta. A diagnosis of Blue Toe Syndrome or occlusive vasculopathy secondary to shower emboli was made and conservative management of the gangrenous digits continued. Prior to arrival at the wound clinic, the patient was identified as a candidate for transmetatarsal amputation, noting that he likely would not heal due to peripheral arterial disease. Results: <span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">The right 3rd digit was partially amputated one month later, followed by the 2nd and 4th digit approximately 3 weeks later, all resulting in non-healing wounds. Shortly after, the right hallux was partially amputated and healed uneventfully. Healing of the 2nd and 3rd digit sites failed to progress over several months with the use of a collagen/ORC wound dressing. Following a failed primary closure attempt, the wounds were treated weekly with pulse lavage therapy and the application of a novel collagen powder product. Discussion: The patient’s wounds were closed 28 days later and have remained healed to date. For this patient, the combination of pulse lavage cleansing and debridement, and the application of this novel collagen powder product-initiated healing to break the cycle of chronicity and close the wound. Despite the challenging nature of this case and failed previous attempts at wound closure, the use of the advanced collagen formulation progressed healing rapidly. The product was simple to apply and implement as part of the patients existing treatment schedule. Trademarked Items: References: 1. Olsson M, Järbrink K, Divakar U, Bajpai R, Upton Z, Schmidtchen A, Car J. The humanistic and economic burden of chronic wounds: A systematic review. Wound Repair Regen. 2019 Jan;27(1):114-125