(CS-144) Use of a PVA Gelling Fiber and Flexible Multi-layer Bordered Foam to Achieve Complete Healing of a Complicated Non-healing Surgical Chest Wound in 7.5 weeks: A case study.

Co-Author(s):

Introduction: A 61 year old female presented with a chronic non-healing wound to her left chest. She had a history of left breast cancer and had undergone a left mastectomy with delayed reconstruction. Post operatively the surgical incision dehisced, complicated by a serious surgical site infection requiring extended rehospitalization, and extensive medical and surgical treatment to her deep open wound. 
The patient lived alone and did not qualify for Home Health care/visits. The patient individually sought additional wound care support when the wound healing stalled and failed to progress. She declined treatment at an outpatient wound clinic as an option.

Methods: Past management of the chronic wound was twice daily normal saline gauze dressing changes with a gauze cover dressing and tape securement. Current clinical approach was a silver impregnated PVA gelling fiber and flexible multi-layer bordered foam that was initiated daily due to high levels of exudate. As the exudate decreased the time between dressing changes was extended. Virtual follow-up was provided weekly and prn.

Results: Following initiation of the new wound management plan with a fiber gelling dressing, the patient reported a smaller, cleaner wound bed within one week. The denuded periwound healed and her pain and anxiety related to the non-healing wound resolved within 2 weeks of initiation of treatment. Complete healing of the wound was achieved in 7.5 weeks.

Discussion: The combination of gelling fiber and flexible multilayer border foam dressing facilitated effective wound management in a stalled, chronic wound, effective pain management, and complete healing of a complicated, dehisced surgical wound in 7.5 weeks without sharp surgical debridement. The patient experience and comfort improved with this combination of dressing.

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References: Gefen A, Timmons J, Carlsson E et al (2021) Exufiber® and Exufiber® Ag+: A review of the scientific and clinical evidence. Wounds International, London. Available on www.woundsinternational.com