(CS-099) Utilizing Hypochlorous Acid Preserved Wound Cleanser (HAPWOC)* as a primary dressing: Case Series
Co-Author(s):
Introduction:
Introduction: Abdominal wound dehiscence is estimated to occur in 0.5–3.4% of abdominopelvic surgeries, and even more concerning, has a mortality of up to 40% (Shanmugam, 2015). Post-surgical abdominal wound can increase morbidity, hospital length of stay, healthcare costs and readmission rates (Shanmugam, 2015). According to Shanmugam et al (2015) “postoperative wound dehiscence cases from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample demonstrate 9.6% excess mortality, 9.4 days of excess hospitalization and $40,323 in excess hospital charges relative to matched controls”. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has been a standard treatment option for managing abdominal wounds because it helps to remove wound drainage, infectious material, reduce edema, which helps lower intra-abdominal pressure, and reduce the risk of abdominal compartment syndrome (Wang, 2017). In many patient settings, it is hard to decide what to use once the wound is clean and granular, or until a NPWT therapy device becomes available. A topical dressing such as kerlix gauze moistened with HAPWOC is cost effective, and it is easy to apply. HAPWOC acts as an antimicrobial non-cytotoxic wound dressing that promotes wound healing by lending moisture to the wound and promoting autolytic debridement (Robson, 2019).
Methods:
Method: Patients selected in this case series had a chronic post-surgical abdominal wound. Each patient selected in this series was treated in the outpatient wound care setting. HAPWOC was utilized as a wound cleanser as well as a primary dressing in two of the three cases, which led to wound closure. The third patient was referred with NPWT which was removed within two weeks and replaced with HAPWOC soaked gauze dressings until wound closure was achieved.
Results:
Results: All three of these patients had chronic abdominal wounds that healed after admission to the outpatient wound setting. The common treatment modality was HAPWOC, used as a cleanser and primary dressing. These patients experienced an improvement in their quality of life because they were not required to take additional oral antibiotics, IV antibiotics, and hospital readmission or undergo additional surgery to achieve wound closure.
Discussion:
Discussion: Patients who suffer a post-operative abdominal wound have a high risk for the development of infection (Shanmugam,2015). HAPWOC is a versatile preservative free solution that reduces bioburden and promotes wound healing (Hiebert, 2016).
Trademarked Items:
References:
References:
1. Hiebert, J. M., & Robson, M. C. (2016). The Immediate and Delayed Post-Debridement Effects on Tissue Bacterial Wound Counts of Hypochlorous Acid Versus Saline Irrigation in Chronic Wounds. Eplasty, 16, e32.
2. Shanmugam, V. K., Fernandez, S. J., Evans, K. K., McNish, S., Banerjee, A. N., Couch, K. S., Mete, M., & Shara, N. (2015). Postoperative wound dehiscence: Predictors and associations. Wound repair and regeneration: official publication of the Wound Healing Society [and] the European Tissue Repair Society, 23(2), 184–190. https://doi.org/10.1111/wrr.12268
3. Wang Z, Bai M, Long X, Zhao R, Wang X. Negative Pressure Wound Therapy for Patients With Complex Abdominal Wounds. Wounds. 2017 Jul;29(7):202-208. PMID: 28759427.