Successful healing of chronic venous ulcer using zinc oxide nanoparticles and compression therapy in a 75-year-old Syrian female: a case report

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic venous disease is a commonly underdiagnosed condition that gradually diminishes a patient's quality of life and imposes a growing burden on healthcare resources. Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) arise as a complication of chronic venous insufficiency and represent the most prevalent type of slow-healing wound in the lower extremities.

Case presentation: In this case report, we present the successful treatment of a 75-year-old woman with a chronic venous ulcer caused by chronic deep venous insufficiency. The patient had been struggling with an unresponsive venous leg ulcer for 7 years with no improvement from previous treatments. A three-layer Unna boot treatment, including (ZnO NPs) and a two-component compression system was applied, and significant ulcer reduction was observed.

Discussion: ZnO NPs impregnated bandages, like those found in an Unna boot, offer compression by wrapping gauze dressing impregnated with ZnO NPs around the patient's leg forming a semi-solid mold around the extremity. A more efficient treatment approach could lead to fewer clinic visits, thereby reducing healthcare expenses by enhancing the method of managing venous ulcers through a combination of compression and simple, cost-effective surface dressing materials. It's worth noting that ZnO NPs have demonstrated significant benefits for wound healing.

Conclusion: Utilizing ZnO NPs alongside compression therapy has proven highly effective, accelerating healing and offering a cost-effective solution. Further research is needed to study the safety of ZnO NPs.

Keywords: case report; chronic wounds; compression therapy; nanoparticle drugs; venous ulcer; zinc oxide.

Figure 1.

Doppler ultrasound which shows the deep venous insufficiency wave at the level of the left femoral vein.

Figure 2.

(A) The ulcer at presentation. (B) After the initial surgical debridement, where the formation of the granulation tissue started. (C) Three weeks after treatment, the second surgical debridement removed the necrotic center area shown in this image. (D–F) The ulcer progression after 4, 5, and 6 weeks of treatment. (G–I) The ulcer progression during the last month of treatment in order by intervals of 10 days with the last image (I) showing over 95% healing at 3 months.