A Retrospective Health Economic Analysis of a Stable Hypochlorous Acid Preserved Wound Cleanser Versus 0.9% Saline Solution as Instillation for Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy in Severe and Infected Wounds

Summary

In a small retrospective comparison, severe infected wounds irrigated with a hypochlorous acid cleanser (Vashe) needed fewer operating room visits and shorter hospital stays than wounds irrigated with saline.

Key points

• 27 serious wounds in 24 patients had negative-pressure wound therapy with instillation of either the cleanser (19 wounds) or saline (8 wounds).
• The cleanser group trended toward fewer operating room visits (3.3 versus 4.1) and a shorter stay (24.3 versus 37.9 days).
• The authors estimated lower costs with the cleanser.
• Retrospective, observational and small, so it shows a trend, not proof.