Evaluating a native collagen matrix dressing in the treatment of chronic wounds of different aetiologies: a case series.
OBJECTIVE
To collate clinical evidence on the use of a native collagen matrix dressing, consisting of a fibrillary collagen network, in patients with a variety of chronic wounds.


METHODS
Patients whose wounds had not improved in the eight weeks before the beginning of the evalutaion were recruited. All participants had their dressings changed twice weekly and received standard adjunctive wound care as part of their treatment. Data, collected over a 4-week period, included: patient demographics, wound surface area measurements, Bates-Jensen score, level of wound pain, wound infection status, wound bed preparation staging score, depth of wound according to tissue type, and photographic imaging of patients' wounds.


RESULTS
We recruited 19 patients with 20 wounds and a mean wound duration of 66.6 months (range: 4-480 months). There was a mean decrease in wound surface area of 29% (median reduction: 47%). A reduction in the Bates-Jensen score was demonstrated in 85% of cases. Wound pain reduced by 66.66% and the wound bed preparation score reduced in 16 wounds with four remaining static. No adverse events arose.


CONCLUSIONS
This case series provides clinical evidence on the use of a native collagen matrix dressing in the management of hard-to-heal wounds that have previously received local standard therapy. The decrease in wound surface area together with other data indicating improved wound status suggests that a native collagen matrix dressing supports healing and improves quality of life through reduction in wound pain.
Director of Wound Healing Unit, Director of Wound Healing Unit, St. Luca's Clinic, Pecetto Torinese, Italy.
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Clinical Research Consultant, Hertfordshire, UK.
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D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047070:Bandages, Hydrocolloid; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy; D003094:Collagen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000628:therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003094:Collagen
collagen; diabetic foot; infection; leg ulcers; wound healing