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Published on: February 26, 2015
Treatment of minor wounds from dermatologic procedures: a comparison of three topical wound care ointments using a
Nathan S Trookman1, Ronald L Rizer, Teresa Weber
1Colorado Springs Dermatology Clinic PC, Colorado Springs, USA.
Background:
Topical antibiotic ointments are commonly used for postoperative wound care after dermatologic procedures such as curettage, electrodessication, or shave removals. Antibiotics have the potential to cause allergic contact dermatitis and increase drug resistance and may not be necessary for the treatment of clean surgical wounds.
Objective:
This study compared the wound healing properties of the topical wound care ointments Aquaphor Healing Ointment (AHO) (Beiersdorf Inc, Wilton, CT), Neosporin (Poly/Bac/Neo) (Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ), and Polysporin (Poly/Bac) (Johnson & Johnson) using a laser wound model.
Methods:
In this double-blind study, 4 uniform circular erbium/carbon dioxide laser wounds penetrating to the dermis were made in 20 subjects. Each wound was treated 3 times daily for 18 days with AHO, Poly/Bac/Neo, or Poly/Bac, with one wound left untreated (control). Efficacy and safety were assessed using clinical grading, transepidermal water loss, investigator grading of wound appearance, subjective ranking of wound appearance, and adverse event reporting.
Results:
Significant improvements in erythema (days 7-18), edema (days 4 and 7), epithelial confluence (days 7-18), and general wound appearance (days 7-18) were observed with AHO compared with Poly/Bac/Neo and Poly/Bac (P ≤ .007). No differences were observed between Poly/Bac/Neo and Poly/Bac for any clinical parameters. The average transepidermal water loss value on day 4 was significantly less with AHO compared with the other treatments (P = .0006). Subjects ranked the treated sites as follows: AHO (best), Poly/Bac, and Poly/Bac/Neo. No adverse events were reported.
Limitations:
This was a small pilot study using a laser wound model to replicate minor wounds.
Conclusions:
AHO demonstrated fast and effective improvements in several wound healing parameters compared with antibiotic-containing treatments.
Insights
Aquaphor Healing Ointment (AHO) showed faster wound healing than antibiotic ointments in a laser wound model. AHO improved erythema, edema, and wound appearance without adverse events, making it a potentially superior option for postoperative dermatologic wound care.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Wound Healing
- Postoperative Care
Background:
- Topical antibiotic ointments are standard for post-dermatologic surgery wound care.
- Antibiotics carry risks including allergic contact dermatitis and antibiotic resistance.
- Their necessity for clean surgical wounds is questionable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the wound healing efficacy of Aquaphor Healing Ointment (AHO) against antibiotic ointments (Neosporin/Polysporin).
- To evaluate wound healing properties using a standardized laser-induced wound model.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind study involved 20 subjects with laser-induced dermal wounds.
- Wounds were treated thrice daily for 18 days with AHO, Poly/Bac/Neo, Poly/Bac, or left untreated (control).
- Efficacy assessed via clinical grading, transepidermal water loss, and wound appearance evaluations.
Main Results:
- AHO significantly improved erythema, edema, epithelial confluence, and overall wound appearance compared to antibiotic treatments (P ≤ .007).
- AHO demonstrated significantly lower transepidermal water loss on day 4 (P = .0006).
- No significant differences were found between Neosporin and Polysporin; no adverse events were reported.
Conclusions:
- Aquaphor Healing Ointment (AHO) promotes faster and more effective wound healing than antibiotic ointments.
- AHO is a safe and effective alternative for postoperative wound care after dermatologic procedures.
- This pilot study suggests AHO's potential in managing minor surgical wounds.
