Onesti MG, Fioramonti P, Fino P, Massera D, Amorosi V, Scuderi N, et al.
International wound journal. Date of publication 2014 Aug 1;volume 11(4):409-11.
1. Int Wound J. 2014 Aug;11(4):409-11. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-481X.2012.01110.x. Epub
2012 Oct 29.
Skin ulcer caused by venous extravasation of heroin.
Onesti MG(1), Fioramonti P, Fino P, Massera D, Amorosi V, Scuderi N.
Author information:
(1)Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, University of
Rome "Sapienza", Policlinico Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico, Rome, Italy.
The accidental leakage of the compound, in this case heroin, from the veins where
it is injected, causes the formation of tissue lesions. Similar mechanisms lead
to progressive tissue necrosis, which, if not immediately treated, results in the
loss of the relevant function. A 57-year-old man presented a skin lesion on the
posterior region of the left forearm with extensive necrosis of skin and
subcutaneous layer involving the underlying muscle planes, caused by a venous
extravasation of heroin that he reports having injected himself. The wound size
is 15 × 10 cm; it had a sanious, fibrinous, secreting and smelly bottom. In this
period, the patient was subjected to daily focused dressing before debridement of
the lesion through a collagenase plus hyaluronic acid ointment: Bionect Start®;
(FIDIA Pharmaceutical, Abano, Italy). The therapeutic choice was rewarded with a
complete resolution of the wound through a non-invasive technique and over a
short period. Avoiding the hospitalisation of the patient achieved a reduction of
risks for him and of the costs for the National Health Service (NHS). The Bionect
Start®; (FIDIA Pharmaceutical) as well as allowing the healing of the wound also
decreased significantly the pain felt by the patient, the amount of exudate and
the bad smell improving in a non-negligible way his quality of life.
© 2012 The Authors. International Wound Journal © 2012 Medicalhelplines.com Inc
and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-481X.2012.01110.x
PMCID: PMC7950968
PMID: 23107007 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
