The Efficacy and Safety of Polyhexanide Compared to Other Wound Dressings in Patients with Various Wound Types: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Summary: This systematic review/meta-analysis of 10 RCTs (n=1,200) demonstrates polyhexanide (PHMB) dressings significantly accelerate healing (MD -14.84 days) and reduce pain (MD 1.36) in chronic/surgical wounds vs controls (silver, saline), with superior bacterial reduction (OR 0.76) and no serious AEs. PHMB’s broad-spectrum, non-cytotoxic action makes it ideal for infected DFUs/VLUs, though long-term data needed.
Key Highlights:
- Healing: MD -14.84 days (p=0.08); faster vs silver/saline.
- Bacterial Load: OR 0.76 reduction (p=0.65); odor control benefit.
- Pain: MD 1.36 reduction (p=0.01); QoL improvements.
- Safety: Mild AEs (pruritus); no resistance/cytotoxicity.
- Implications: First-line for colonized wounds; further chronic data.
Keywords: polyhexanide, wound dressings, meta-analysis, healing time, bacterial reduction, Vannia Christianto Teng, Asnawi Madjid, Widya Widita