Resumen

Objectives: 1: Understanding the mechanism of action of collagen dressings for hard-to-heal wounds 2: Introduce the treatment algorithm and demonstrate the application method 3: Case details Introduction: Trauma or trauma-related comorbidities often result in soft tissue defects requiring reconstructive strategies for wound closure. Such lesions often become chronic wounds or ulcers and show higher levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Because the affected soft tissue is likely to subsequently colonize with bacteria, immediate treatment is required. Nonetheless, patients with comorbidities may result in difficult and complex wounds. In this study, we propose a therapeutic strategy for effective wound healing by applying collagen dressings to hard-to-heal wounds. Materials / method: The study, conducted at Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, included a total of six patients with various comorbidities who developed soft tissue defects due to traumatic injuries (eg, traumatic ulcers and hematomas) or conditions characterized by impaired wound healing. All lesions mainly involved the lower extremities. Surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy were provided, while lesions were confirmed negative for infection status by wound tissue culture. Subsequently, collagen wound dressings was secured. Results: Compared to frequent surgical debridement and traditional wound dressings, collagen dressings reduce the frequency of dressing changes, thereby providing a smoother and more tolerable wound healing process. The successful reduction of postoperative complications, such as further soft tissue necrosis or hemorrhage by our technique, may be attributed to its hemostatic properties, efficiency in reducing MMP levels in tissue and protecting the biological activity of endogenous growth factors to restore wound defects. Conclusion: Our experience shows the effectiveness of collagen dressings in promoting wound healing with standardized treatment algorithms to repair hard-to-heal wounds.