Effects of 25% propylene glycol hydrogel (Solugel) on second intention wound healing in horses.
Authors: Dart Andrew J, Cries Lucile, Jeffcott Leo B, Hodgson David R, Rose Reuben J
Journal: Veterinary surgery : VS
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Propylene Glycol Hydrogel and Equine Wound Healing Standardised full-thickness skin wounds (2.5 × 2.5 cm) created on the distal metacarpi of eight Standardbred horses provided a controlled model to test whether a 25% propylene glycol hydrogel (Solugel) could accelerate second intention healing compared to conventional saline-soaked gauze dressing. Using video analysis and computer software to track healing kinetics over time, researchers measured wound area, retraction phase dynamics, and overall healing rate across both the acute retraction phase and subsequent epithelialisation phase. Neither treatment showed any difference in initial wound dimensions at the first bandage change, nor did Solugel improve the total healing rate, the rate during retraction, the rate after retraction completion, or the degree of wound contraction achieved. Whilst this finding contradicts manufacturers' claims about hydrogel benefits, the results apply specifically to small, clean wounds on distal limb sites where the controlled environment may not reflect field conditions or contaminated injuries; practitioners should not expect significant clinical advantage from this product for routine distal limb wound management in horses, though results may not extrapolate to larger, more compromised wounds or different anatomical locations.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Solugel offers no clinical advantage over standard saline-soaked dressings for distal limb wounds in horses—save money by using saline
- •When selecting wound dressings for small full-thickness distal limb wounds, focus on other factors like bandaging technique and infection control rather than relying on proprietary hydrogels
- •Standard gauze and saline-based protocols remain appropriate first-line management for these wound types
Key Findings
- •Solugel hydrogel treatment had no effect on total wound healing rate compared to saline controls
- •No significant differences were found in healing rate during or after the retraction phase between treated and control wounds
- •Wound area at first bandage change and amount of retraction were equivalent between treatment groups