Evaluating the effect of a haemoglobin spray on size reduction in chronic DFUs.

AIM: The aim of this multi-centre observational evaluation was to assess the percentage reduction in wound area of non-healing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), treated with Granulox haemoglobin spray over a 4-week period. Secondary outcome parameters--for example, adverse events, patient acceptability and ease of use--were also recorded. METHOD: After a run-in-period (2 weeks for existing patients and 4 weeks for new patients) to determine if the wounds were non-healing despite receiving local best practice, patients whose foot ulcers had decreased in size by < 20% were then entered into the evaluation. A sample of 17 patients (4 females and 13 males), comprising 4 with type 1 and 13 with type 2 diabetes, with a total of 20 DFUs, met the inclusion criteria. These data were collected from six sites across the UK. RESULTS: There was an overall positive reduction in size in 15 of the wounds, equating to a mean reduction of 53.8% (standard deviation (SD): 26.6; range: 11.9-100%). One participant, with two ulcers, had to be withdrawn due to infection. All clinicians and participants found the product easy to use. CONCLUSION: The addition of a topical oxygenation therapy in this cohort of non-healing DFUs showed reduction in wound surface area and progression to healing. The product was also found to be acceptable and very easy to use by both participants and clinicians.