title: Post-surgical scalp wounds with exposed bone treated with a plant-derived wound therapeutic.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of a plant-derived wound dressing, a mixture of hypericum oil (Hypericum perforatum) and neem oil (Azadirachta indica), in scalp wounds with exposed bone.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was conducted of all patients presenting with scalp wounds with exposed bone following the excision of skin tumours and treated with a plant-derived wound dressings (1 Primary Wound Dressing; Phytoceuticals AG), from January to July 2011. Time to healing, wound size, area of exposed bone, ease of handling, pain and complications were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine consecutive patients were analysed retrospectively. The patients' mean age was 81.2 ± 8.5 years (63-90 years), with a mean wound size of 13.2 ± 6.8cm(2) (0.4-22.6cm(2)) and 6.8 ± 6.5cm(2) (0.3-20.7cm(2)) of exposed bone. The time to complete healing by secondary intention was 4-20 weeks. A rapid induction of granulation tissue was observed, which covered the entire exposed bone surface in six out of nine cases (67%) after 4 weeks, and showed a reduction in the mean area of exposed bone of 95%. Dressing change was easy and without pain and there were no complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This retrospective, non-controlled analysis suggests that ONE is a very simple to use, safe and potentially effective therapy for the treatment of scalp wounds with exposed bone.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  There were no external sources of funding for this study. The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. severin.laeuchli@usz.ch
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Läuchli
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hafner
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wehrmann
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hunziker
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D031601:Azadirachta; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D020902:Hypericum; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012535:Scalp / Q000293:injuries*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012886:Skull; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D010938:Plant Oils