Effectiveness of Biodress versus both honey and povidone-iodine ointment in acute wound healing in Enugu State, Nigeria: a randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of Biodress (a petroleum-based hydrogen-calcium salt of oxidised cellulose dressing made of organic materials; Bottu, Morocco) against both honey and povidone-iodine ointment on wound closure, the incidence of wound complications, the cost of wound care, ease of use, and the outcome of acute wounds. METHOD: A single-blinded randomised controlled trial (RCT) was performed among patients with acute wounds selected from two hospitals in southeast Nigeria. Participants were randomised with computer-generated numbers into one of three equally-sized groups: the petroleum-based dressing used as the intervention, and either honey or povidone-iodine which were used as two independent control groups. RESULTS: A total of 42 patients were included in this RCT, median age 32.5 years, with 22 male and 20 female patients. No significant difference was observed in the effectiveness of the petroleum-based dressing over honey or povidone-iodine ointment on wound closure (p=0.288). However, considering injury type, Biodress showed some advantage over honey in burns injuries (p=0.017). None of the participants in the intervention group had wound infection at any of the follow-up visits. No significant difference was noted in the cost of dressing materials (dressing packs and cleansing solutions) (p=0.717), or in the cost of dressing agents (Biodress/honey/ povidone-iodine) (p=0.222). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the ease of use of the different materials. The petroleum-based dressing, however, was significantly less painful than the other dressing agents and required significantly fewer dressing materials per episode compared to the other dressings (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: In this RCT, Biodress demonstrated its potential as a promising dressing agent for acute wounds, particularly burns injuries; however, further studies will help to substantiate or disprove this finding.