Efficacy of collagen particles in chronic non healing ulcers

Introduction: Chronic foot ulcers will lead to a significant and prolonged stress to the patients. Pain and discomfort that may be acute or continuous is the usual complaint in chronic non healing ulcers that may even exacerbate with change of the dressings. The end process in any wound healing is wound contracture and scar formation. Collagen plays an important role in this stage of wound healing. Collagen particles were used in chronic non healing ulcer management to prove their efficacy when compared with conventional dressing in a study conducted by us. Objective: To compare the healing process in non healing ulcers using collagen particles with those of conventional method of dressing (betadine). Materials and Methods: It was a non randomized, prospective study conducted for a period of October 2012 to October 2014 in hospitals belonging to Kasturba medical college. Non concurrent pre and post comparative study; between collagen group and conventional dressing group. A total of 110 patients with chronic ulcers were included; each group comprising 55 patients. Results: There was a significant decrease in wound size with a mean difference of 37.29 in experimental group when compared to 14.29 in control group. Conclusions: Collagen dressing is effective in management of chronic non healing ulcers when compared to conventional betadine dressing. It heals by forming an early granulation tissue and thus reducing the length of hospital stay.