Evaluation of hypochlorous acid washes in the treatment of chronic venous leg ulcers.

OBJECTIVE

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a highly microbiocidal agent active against bacteria, viruses and fungi. Using quantitative microbiology, preliminary studies showed it achieved an appreciable reduction in the bacterial burden in chronic venous leg ulcers. The study aimed to determine whether it has a role as an additional treatment for chronic venous ulcers that have not healed with conventional treatment.

METHOD

On the basis of previous reports we designed a study in which patients acted as their own controls, in that only patients who failed to achieve a 44% reduction in wound size with standard treatment (compression bandaging) received HOCl washes.

RESULTS

Of 30 patients admitted to the study, 10 achieved a 44% ulcer reduction after three weeks of standard treatment. In addition to the standard compression treatment, the remaining 20 patients were given HOCl washes over 12 weeks. Of the 20 ulcers, nine (45%) healed and five (25%) reduced in size by over 60%. All patients became free of pain.

CONCLUSION

These findings confirm the clinical efficacy of treating venous leg ulcers with hypochlorous washes. Use of HOCl washes as an adjunctive therapy for recalcitrant venous leg ulcers appreciably increases healing and rapidly relieves pain.