Going green: using a bio-cellulose membrane for patients with chronic non-healing wounds

A 20-patient evaluation was undertaken on the most chronic non-healing wounds that had been present in excess of 6 months. Patients were treated with a biotechnology dressing that is provided in a mesh and gel combination. Eighteen of out 20 patients went on to heal. Cost effectiveness examined the cost associated with maintaining non-healing wounds where all alternative therapies had failed. Nursing time both in outpatients and home visits were included. A wide variety of secondary dressings were applied according to clinical preference as the new dressings are designed as a direct wound contact mesh. This is a very new concept to wound care, with initial unit cost being high, but the possibilities of natural plant extracts that can mimic collagen synthesis is exciting. Both the staff and patients have seen a marked improvement, with up to date no recurrence. Further studies need to be undertaken to establish if these early findings are repeatable.