Pham CH, Collier ZJ, Fang M, Howell A, Gillenwater TJ, et al.
Journal of wound care. Date of publication 2019 Feb 1;volume 28(Sup2):S9-S15.
1. J Wound Care. 2019 Feb 1;28(Sup2):S9-S15. doi: 10.12968/jowc.2019.28.Sup2.S9.
The role of collagenase ointment in acute burns: a systematic review and
meta-analysis.
Pham CH(1), Collier ZJ(2), Fang M(3), Howell A(2), Gillenwater TJ(4).
Author information:
(1)Resident; Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los
Angeles, US.
(2)Resident; Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Keck School of
Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, US.
(3)Biostatistician; Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences,
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, US.
(4)Assistant Professor; Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern
California, Los Angeles, US. Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery,
Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, US.
OBJECTIVE:: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to summarise the
state of the literature in regard to the efficacy and uses of clostridial
collagenase ointment (CCO) in the burn patient.
METHOD:: A systematic review of articles available on PubMed, Scopus and OvidSP
Medline was performed. Keywords used in the search process included burns,
thermal injury, collagenase, enzymatic debridement, wound care. Reviews, case
reports, independent abstracts, consensus and opinion papers were excluded. A
meta-analysis was performed for articles fitting inclusion criteria.
RESULTS:: Following screening, six relevant articles were identified for
systematic review. Few studies, with limited sample sizes, argue that CCO may be
an effective debriding agent. It may also accelerate wound healing and avoid the
pain associated with mechanical debridement. CCO lacks antimicrobial activity but
the risk of burn wound infection does not appear to be significantly different
than when using silver-impregnated products. CCO is more expensive than
traditional wound care products but may help halt burn depth conversion and
prevent the need for surgery.
CONCLUSION:: CCO may be a safe and effective debridement agent for burn wounds
with respect to decreasing wound healing time and minimising pain without
increasing the risk of infection. It should be used on a case-by-case basis due
to its financial cost, which may be offset by its ability to manage burns
non-operatively.
DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2019.28.Sup2.S9
PMCID: PMC6383798 [Available on 2020-02-01]
PMID: 30767636
