Chen Q, Zhou K, et al.
Journal of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing : official publication of The Wound, Ostomy an.... Date of publication 2022 May 1;volume 49(3):286-289.
1. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2022 May-Jun 01;49(3):286-289. doi:
10.1097/WON.0000000000000863. Epub 2022 Mar 7.
Acetic Acid Use in Chronic Wound Healing: A Multiple Case Series.
Chen Q(1)(2), Zhou K(1)(2).
Author information:
(1)Qiuyun Chen, MA, BA, School of Humanities, Beijing University of Chinese
Medicine, Beijing, China.
(2)Kehua Zhou, MD, DPT, Department of Hospital Medicine, ThedaCare Regional
Medical Center-Appleton, Appleton, Wisconsin.
BACKGROUND: Acetic acid is bacteriostatic or bactericidal to many gram-negative
and gram-positive microorganisms, especially Pseudomonas. Nevertheless, it has
also been found to possess cytotoxic effects in concentrations as low as 0.25%
inhibiting the epithelialization process during wound healing.
CASES: In this multiple case series, we present 2 cases of chronic traumatic leg
wounds treated with gauze moistened with acetic acid (0.25%), which were covered
with a securing dressing and compression stockinet. Both patients were told to
apply gauze moistened with acetic acid (0.25%) twice daily. In both cases, the
wound progressed to blue-green drainage and wet yellow slough tissue to
near-complete beefy granulation tissue. At this point, acetic acid was replaced
with collagen or petrolatum dressing until complete wound closure was achieved.
The treatment of these wounds illustrated successful use of acetic acid for
chronic wound care.
CONCLUSION: Our experience with these cases suggests that appearance of
blue-green wound drainage and wet yellow slough tissue is a reasonable
indication for the use of gauze moistened with acetic acid (0.25%). Further
research is needed to test the efficacy of these principles in guiding acetic
acid use in wound care.
Copyright © 2022 by the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society.
DOI: 10.1097/WON.0000000000000863
PMID: 35255076 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
Conflict of interest statement: The authors do not have potential conflicts of
interest relevant to this article to report.
