HISTOLOGIC EVALUATION OF CHRONIC HUMAN WOUNDS TREATED WITH HYDROCOLLOID AND NONHYDROCOLLOID DRESSINGS

Background: Studies of acute surgical wounds in pigs have shown granulomatous tissue re actions induced by hydrocolloid dressings. Objective: We examined biopsy specimens from chronic wounds in humans treated with hydrocolloid or nonhydrocolloid dressings to determine whether such reactions occurred. Methods: A blinded retrospective analysis of 22 chronic ulcer biopsy specimens from 22 patients was performed by two dermatopathologists independently. Results: No differences were seen between hydrocolloid-treated and non-hydrocolloid-treated wounds. Granulation tissue was seen in all specimens. No cavities, eosinophilic inclusions, polarizable material, or multinucleated giant cells were identified. Conclusion: There are no significant histologic differences between hydrocolloid-treated and non-hydrocolloid-treated wounds in humans.