Evaluating Effectiveness of Medical Grade Honey-Containing Alginate Dressing in Patients with Chronic Lower Extremity Wounds

Abstract

Background: Chronic wounds of the lower extremities are challenging to treat. Recently, honey-based dressings have been shown beneficial effects in diabetic foot ulcers and venous ulcers. Here, we compared Medihoney alginate with a standard alginate dressing in lower extremity chronic wounds.Methods: We performed retrospective chart reviews of 37 patients between January 2019 and January 2021 with chronic lower extremity wounds who were treated with an Algisite M dressing (group A) or a Medihoney alginate dressing (group B). Microorganisms isolated from wound cultures, weekly decrease in wound area over 4 weeks, the number of patients who achieved complete wound closure, and the amount of time required for wound closure were compared between the two groups. Results: Sixteen patients were assigned to group A and 21 to group B. The isolated microorganisms were confirmed as methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus most commonly, followed by methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Wound area decreased from 12.71 to 2.34 cm² in group A and from 14.07 to 1.71 cm² in group B (P<0.05). Seven patients achieved complete wound closure in group A (43.75%) and 15 patients in group B (71.43%). Mean duration of wound closure was 36.31 days in group A and 34.62 days in group B.Conclusion: Considering the more rapid decrease in wound area in group B, application of a honey-containing alginate dressing to lower extremity chronic wounds, especially those infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, was proved to be a good treatment option.