Early clinical experience with topical collagen in vascular wound care

An 82-year-old woman had undergone 4 continuous years of home health treatment for bilateral venous ulcers of the lower extremities. Previous wound treatments, consisting of cleansing with soap and water, hydrogen peroxide, saline solution-impregnated dressings; hydrophilic beads, silver sulfadiazene (Silvadene), multiantibiotic (Neosporin) and Silvadene ointments, and hydrocolloids, had been tried with limited success. A regimen of wound management consisting of cleansing with normal saline solution to cleanse the wound of exudate and debris and application of collagen particles directly to the wound, followed by application of a hydrocolloid dressing, was applied to these wounds. These measures were supported by bilateral elevation of the lower extremities to aid circulation. As a result, rapid wound healing occurred within approximately 80 days.