Simple and effective approach for the treatment of traumatic wounds in non-diabetic patients: a prospective open study.

Abstract

Infection is one of the most important obstacles in the wound-healing process. Conventional methods used for the treatment of wound infections have their own limitations and hence, are difficult to control. If infection is not addressed well in time, it will further increase morbidity and cost of treatment. An attempt was made to develop a simple and effective treatment modality by using citric acid as the sole antimicrobial agent to control bacterial infections of traumatic wounds. A total of 259 cases of traumatic wounds infected with a variety of bacteria were investigated for culture and susceptibility, and susceptibility to citric acid. Citric acid ointment (3%) was applied to traumatic wounds to determine its efficacy in their treatment of traumatic wounds. In a culture and susceptibility study, a total of 369 aerobic bacteria and 7 fungi were isolated, with Staphylococcus aureus (30.31%) being the most common isolate and ciprofloxacin (61.43%) being the most effective agent. All the isolates were found to be inhibited by citric acid in in vitro studies (minimum inhibitory concentration--500-2500 µg/ml). Citric acid ointment was found effective in controlling infections. Out of 259 cases, 244 (around 95%) were healed completely in 5-25 applications of 3% citric acid. As citric acid has antibacterial activity and wound-healing property; hence it is the best alternative for the treatment of traumatic wounds. Besides these properties, citric acid has no adverse effects and it is a good dressing agent.

• Authors: Basavraj Nagoba, Rajan Gandhi, Bharat Wadher, Arunkumar Rao, Sohan Selkar
• Journal: International wound journal (Int Wound J) Vol. 10 Issue 5 Pg. 585-9 (Oct 2013) ISSN: 1742-481X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 22781002 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2012 The Authors. International Wound Journal © 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Medicalhelplines.com Inc.

Chemical References

• Anti-Infective Agents

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Anti-Infective Agents (administration & dosage)
• Bacterial Infections (drug therapy)
• Bandages
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Prospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome
• Wound Healing (drug effects)
• Wound Infection (drug therapy)
• Wounds and Injuries (drug therapy)