Introduction
The patient was an 81 year-old female with a venous leg ulcer located below the right medial malleolus. The ulcer had been present for almost two years. The patient suffered from recurrent Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections at the wound site, which sometimes required hospitalization. The patient reported severe pain at the wound site, rated as 7 to 8 out of 10 [10 is most severe]. There were no signs of progression towards healing, and distal maceration led to an increase
in wound size.
The wound was managed with regular cleansing and debridement, and dressing changes twice per week. To minimize the growth of P. aeruginosa, acetic acid solution and an antimicrobial silver dressing were used, and the wound was then covered by a superabsorbent cover dressing and a compression bandage.
Intervention & Progress
At baseline, the wound measured 8.2 x 4.0 cm. Exudate level was heavy, biofilm was suspected, and friable granulation tissue was present. The wound was washed, debrided and cleansed with acetic acid solution. AQUACELTM Ag+ dressing was applied as the primary dressing, Curea superabsorbent dressing was applied over the primary dressing, and the wound was wrapped with a compression bandage. Dressings were changed twice per week.