Use of liquid metronidazole in the management of wounds with cavities

Background: Chronic wounds, particularly those that are malodorous, present significant challenges in clinical management, often leading to psychological distress and social isolation for patients. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of topical liquid metronidazole in enhancing wound healing outcomes compared to conventional wound care methods. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of topical liquid metronidazole in wound management. Patients with various wound types were divided into two groups: one receiving topical metronidazole and the other standard wound care. Data on demographics, wound characteristics, treatments, and outcomes were collected. The primary outcomes were mean time to wound closure and the proportion of patients achieving complete or significant wound healing. Statistical analyses compared these outcomes between the groups. Results: The study involved 40 patients, with a mean age of 35.6 years; 62.5% were female. Most wounds were deep musculoskeletal infections (52.5%), and 55% of patients received topical metronidazole treatment. Wound closure was faster in the metronidazole group (5.5 vs. 6.9 weeks, p = 0.005), with an 85% healing rate compared to 55% in the conventional care group (p = 0.005). Conclusion: The application of topical liquid metronidazole appears to enhance wound healing outcomes, leading to faster wound closure and a higher proportion of patients achieving complete healing or significant wound size reduction compared to conventional wound care methods.