Successful treatment of non-healing pressure ulcers with topical n-acetyl cysteine


ÖZKAYA H., BAHAT-ÖZTÜRK G., Tufan A., Dogan H., Bilicen Z., Karan M.

Journal of Wound Care, cilt.24, sa.12, ss.606-611, 2015 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 24 Sayı: 12
  • Basım Tarihi: 2015
  • Doi Numarası: 10.12968/jowc.2015.24.12.606
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Wound Care
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.606-611
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: pressure ulcer, non-healing, n-acetyl cysteine, nursing home, treatment
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Objective: N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a thiol compound with antioxidant and vasodilatory properties.It has multiple potential uses - including as an aid to wound healing - supported by varying levels of evidence. Pressure ulcers (PUs) are a major problem affecting older and bed-bound patients, and are associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and health-care costs. We aimed to study whether topical NAC treatment may be useful in non-healing PUs in a prospective case study in two debilitated nursing home residents suffering from a total of three treatment-resistant PUs. Method: PUs were staged as described by the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel. The ulcers were measured at the beginning and weekly thereafter with a standard wound measuring paper ruler. Results: The first patient had a category 3 pressure ulcer and the second patient had one category 3 and one category 4 ulcer. Topical NAC vial administration significantly improved healing in all three PUs without any side effects. Conclusion: Our data indicate that NAC may be used in treatment-resistant PUs successfully. Declaration of interest: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare and no funding was received.