​If you have been struggling with managing exudate in heavily draining wounds, you probably aren’t aware of one unique benefit Enluxtra dressings can offer.
Did you know that you can stack Enluxtra dressings? We mean it quite literally: you can place one (or more) Enluxtra dressings on top of the first one to create a “stack” and maximize the absorption capacity in this simple way.

Stackable superabsorbent dressings? How is it possible?

The trick is removing the printed backing film from Enluxtra that is at the bottom of the stack. This won't damage the dressing core , and will let the exudate pass through and into Enluxtra on top of the stack.

Here’s how to do it:
1. Peel off and discard the printed backing film from the first Enluxtra dressing;
2. Place the second Enluxtra on top of the first “peeled” one;
3. Apply the dressing stack to the wound.
​
Watch this 20-second video for a quick demo and keep on reading:

But the stack is too fat, it won’t fit!
A simple answer to this – trim the stack. That’s right, just like a single Enluxtra dressing that can be trimmed to fit into tight spots, a stack of Enluxtra dressings can just as easily be trimmed!
This approach is particularly effective when you want more absorbency but cannot use a larger Enluxtra because of space limitations. By trimming you can also improve conformance with complex wound topography.
BONUS: stacked Enluxtra dressings add cushioning which is essential for pressure ulcers! The “cushion” remains soft and pliable even when fully saturated.

Why stack Enluxtra?
This is a money question! We held an experiment to demonstrate that a stack of two Enluxtra dressings can absorb as much liquid (saline that is similar to exudate) as can fit in a standard NPWT container.
Watch a short video about this experiment at the end of the post.
​
Now, our question to you.
Would you rather try for a solution that costs hundreds of dollars (NPWT) and is likely to be rejected by your patient’s insurance, or use a stack of Enluxtra dressings that:

• Is just as effective in terms of absorption
• Costs pennies on the dollar
• Is easy to prescribe and get covered by insurance
• Is quick and simple to apply?

Answering this question should be a no-brainer.

​Check out www.EnluxtraDirect.com for the best prices.

Happy healing!

Post-operative wounds in elderly patients with serious comorbidities require precise care in order to ward off infection and ensure that the skin around the wound is properly hydrated while the drainage is managed at the same time.
This case presented a perfect opportunity for Enluxtra dressing to demonstrate its versatility and multi-functionality when used for large surface area wound with skin grafting.

About the patient
The patient was an 89-year-old Caucasian male who underwent an excision of squamous cell carcinoma on his chest with skin grafting. The patient was a former pipe smoker suffering from normocytic anemia, chronic kidney disease, generalized weakness, adrenal insufficiency, hypertension, skin cancer on chest, nose, left ear lobe, malnutrition, low albumin, and first-degree atrioventicular block.

The wound and past treatment
After a follow-up appointment with a surgeon the patient was admitted to the hospital and transfused with 2 units of blood. Foam dressing was applied on his chest wound. Patient was admitted to home health services in the next week with orders to dress surgical wound with foam dressing, covered with an ABD pad dressing and secured with tape. NPWT unit was in place to midline upper chest at admission. Large amounts of drainage noted in the unit’s canister, very odorous within 3 feet.  

Enluxtra dressing treatment progress
Enluxtra dressing advantages were discussed with the patient’s MD and the treatment was started with dressing changes twice a week. The wound displayed rapid progress toward closure and was 50% epithelialized in a matter of 3 weeks. Odor was greatly reduced by the end of week 1, pain disappeared by the end of second week.
After 5 weeks  the wound was mostly closed and remained so at the 14 week follow-up visit. 

Clinical conclusions
This large wound started out as a non-healing, highly draining and painful sore vulnerable to infection with questionable prospects of the applied skin graft.
Enluxtra treatment resolved maceration, provided hydration support to the fragile tissues, cleared the wound bed in record time without desiccating it, and protected the entire wound site from infection.
It also provided much needed pain relief without additional medication.
Patients of advanced age whose skin has lost elasticity and other barrier properties benefit greatly from a smart polymer action of Enluxtra dressing that responds to the needs of each tissue type in real time.

Scroll down to view photos of wound progress and clinical notes.

Learn more about Enluxtra

• View  Enluxtra case studies to see how it can heal the most difficult, stubborn wounds that resisted previous treatment with other products.
• Find out about Enluxtra difference.
• To buy Enluxtra dressings visit our online store, or explore other purchasing options.
• Order free samples available to medical professionals.
• ​​​Read other posts in our blog.

Week 0.
The wound measures 10 cm x 11.5 cm x 0.5 cm, (115 sq. cm), closed surgical dressing with 12 staples in place, copious purulent light green drainage, strong odor, non-healing, 75% slough, surrounding skin macerated. 

Week 1.
Wound size is 7.4cm x 6.6cm x 0.3cm. Moderate amount of purulent drainage, faint odor, 50% slough, no maceration, normal periwound skin color, 25% epithelialization.

Week 3. 
The wound measures 6.3cm x 5.8cm x 0.2cm. Small amount of purulent drainage, 25% slough, no periwound maceration evident, surrounding skin normal color, no induration, no pain, no odor, 50% epithelialization.

Week 5.
Wound measurements are 6.3cm x 5cm x 0.1cm. Very small amount of drainage, less than 25% slough, peri-wound skin is healthy, no odor, 75% epithelialization.

Week 14 follow-up: 
Wound remains fully healed.




​Read other posts in our blog.

Another impressive fast healing of a chronic ulcer in an elderly patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Wounds like this are challenging on many levels and this case is no exception: even with sharp debridement combined with various wound care products the wound lingered and could not reach any significant healing progress. 
The patient could no longer tolerate sharp debridement due to wound-related pain when Enluxtra treatment has started. Even without debridement it healed in record time!

Patient's history and previous treatment
A 74-year-old white female with history of rheumatoid arthritis had her left lateral ankle wound for 12 months. By the end of 12 months the patient’s pain was so severe the wound could not be cleansed appropriately or debrided. The patient has been taking Tramadol for pain. Other treatments which included enzymatic debriding ointment, steroid cream, Sorbact, silver alginate, Kerramax, Iodosorb, Drawtex, silver Restore dressing, hydrogel, and Epifix have not produced any positive changes. 

Enluxtra to the rescue
From the time Enluxtra treatment started no sharp debridment procedures were performed. Enluxtra was applied to the wound with a generous overlap onto healthy surrounding skin and changed once a week. With each dressing change the amount of slough in the wound bed has been reduced and by week 5 wound-related pain disappeared. After 12 weeks the wound has been healed.
A year of struggle with pain, numerous ineffective treatment attempts with other products and all it took only 3 months of Enluxtra to close this difficult wound.

Scroll down to view photos of wound progress and clinical notes.

Learn more about Enluxtra

• View  Enluxtra case studies to see how it can heal the most difficult, stubborn wounds that resisted previous treatment with other products.
• Find out about Enluxtra difference.
• To buy Enluxtra dressings visit our online store, or explore other purchasing options.
• Order free samples available to medical professionals.
• ​​​Read other posts in our blog.

Week 0.
This severely painful wound could not be properly cleansed or debrided. Enzymatic ointment was ineffective. At presentation the wound measured 3.2cm x 3.7cm x 0.2cm with copious purulent drainage and pain 5 out of 10. The wound bed contained 50% slough, 50% pink/red granulation tissue, with macerated peri-wound.
Enluxtra dressing was started.

Week 5.
Within a month of Enluxtra dressing treatment, the wound edges started contracting. The wound measured 3.2cm x 2.3cm x 0.2cm with minimal drainage.
The pain was gone entirely.
The wound bed contained 25% slough, 75% pink/red granulation tissue with moist peri-wound but no maceration. Drastic pain reduction and decreased slough and drainage marked this assessment.

Week 11.
By day 72 the wound size has shown drastic reduction to 1cm x 0.8cm x 0.1cm with minimal drainage and no pain.
Most of the original open wound bed was re-epithelialized with the remaining open area of 75% slough and 25% pink granulation tissue.
The peri-wound was dry but healthy.

Week 14.
Follow-up visit – the wound remained closed.

Fast closure of long-term chronic wounds is something we see again and again in patients treated with Enluxtra, even the elderly, compromised ones with numerous comorbidities. This case is another example of fast healing: a chronic ulcer closed in only 8 weeks in an elderly patient with  an autoimmune disorder.

About the patient and previous treatment
A 77-year-old female with a history of rheumatoid arthritis has been a frequent wound clinic patient for her venous ulcers for over 3 years. Her left lateral ankle wound has been present for 7 months. There was significant wound-related pain (7 out of 10) and small amount of drainage. She was treated with various products that included enzymatic debriding ointment, steroid cream, silver alginate, Iodosorb, silver foam, thick foam, and Sorbact. Wound condition remained poor with no significant improvements.

Remarkable healing progress with Enluxtra
The patient has been started on Enluxtra which was applied with a generous overlap onto healthy skin around the wound and changed twice per week. After 1 week the patient's wound-related pain disappeared and in just under 3 weeks the wound size decreased by 75%. Such progress has not been seen with any of the products used to treat this wound in the past. The healing continued with no setbacks and the wound was fully re-epithelialized by the end of 8-th week.

Scroll down to view photos of wound progress and clinical notes.

Learn more about Enluxtra

• View  Enluxtra case studies to see how it can heal the most difficult, stubborn wounds that resisted previous treatment with other products.
• Find out about Enluxtra difference.
• To buy Enluxtra dressings visit our online store, or explore other purchasing options.
• Order free samples available to medical professionals.
• ​​​Read other posts in our blog.

Week 1.
After 1 week of Enluxtra dressing treatment, the wound size was 5cm x 2.7cm x 0.3cm with moderate drainage.
The patient reported no wound-related pain.
Slough in the wound bed has decreased from 50% to 25% with remaining 75% of pink/red granulation tissue. The peri-wound was dry with induration, and erythema has decreased since Enluxtra dressing has been started.

Week 3.
By day 18 the wound size has decreased to 4cm x 1.4cm x 0.2cm with moderate drainage.
The patient continued to report no wound-related pain. The wound bed started re-epithelializing with 25% slough, 50% pink/red granulation, and 25% epithelial tissue. The peri-wound remained dry, edematous, no induration. Wound edges started contracting, epithelial tissue was present in the wound bed.

Week 6.
By day 35 wound edges continued to contract, the wound bed measured 2.9cm x 0.6cm x 0.1cm with minimal drainage and no pain.
The wound bed contained 25% slough, 50% pink/red granulation, and 25% epithelial tissue. The peri-wound was healthy with no edema or desiccation.

Week 8.
The wound fully epithelialized in under 2 months.

 Atypical wounds are always a challenge and it is all the more rewarding to be able to report a successful outcome with Enluxtra. A patient with a rare cryoglobulinemia disorder has struggled with his painful wound for over a year. In just under 5 months with Enluxtra dressing and no debridement his wound completely closed.
Patient's background
A 60-year-old white male with a  wound on the left medial ankle present for approximately 1 year, its condition deteriorating. Patient’s pain was so severe the wound could not be cleansed appropriately or debrided. Patient went to tertiary care settings for treatment options of the underlying vasculitic process, but did not pursue the definitive recommended treatment which was stem cell. 

How the wound was treated before Enluxtra
The wound has been treated with a variety of products, including enzymatic debriding ointment, silver alginates, Vashe wet-to-dry, honey-based products, and steroid creams. An enzymatic debriding ointment utilized from the onset of the wound did not decrease pain or the non-viable tissue. No improvement of wound condition has been achieved. The patient was on Norco, Lyrica, Xanax, and both oral and intravenous prednisone for his pain.  

What Enluxtra treatment has achieved
During Enluxtra treatment the patient experienced significant reduction of wound-related pain and by week 12  was able to completely stop prednisone. He did not have a single sharp debridement procedure in the entire course of treatment yet his wound steadily progressed towards healing and was fully re-epithelialized in just under 5 months.

​Scroll down to view photos of wound progress and clinical notes.

Learn more about Enluxtra

• View  Enluxtra case studies to see how it can heal the most difficult, stubborn wounds that resisted previous treatment with other products.
• Find out about Enluxtra difference.
• To buy Enluxtra dressings visit our online store, or explore other purchasing options.
• Order free samples available to medical professionals.
• Read other posts in our blog.

Week 0. At presentation the wound was severely painful and measured 16.1cm x 4cm x 0cm with copious drainage. The peri-wound was moist, edematous. The wound bed contained 50% slough, 25% red/pink granulation, and 25% epithelial tissue. Enluxtra dressing was started.

Week 7. By day 46 the wound size decreased to 11.1cm x 2.6cm  x 0cm. Drainage was reduced, pain went down to 3 out of 10. The wound bed had no slough and contained 75% pink/red granulation and 25% epithelial tissue. The peri-wound was dry. Small secondary wounds have been uncovered and resolved within the next 2 weeks.

Week 12. By day 84 the wound size decreased drastically to 2.6cm x 1.3cm x 0.1cm. The drainage was moderate, pain 4 out of 10. The wound bed contained 25% slough, 50% pink/red granulation, and 25% epithelial tissue. The peri-wound was edematous. Despite a slight setback in wound condition, wound edges continued to contract.

Week 20. The wound fully closed in just under 5 months. While the Enluxtra treatment was successful overall, daily dressing changes specifically requested by the patient were not necessary once the slough was removed. The wound would have benefited from less frequent dressing changes, which would have preserved homeostasis and allowed the wound to heal even faster.

Another successful healing with Enluxtra and we are happy to share this story with our blog readers. This severely painful long-term wound has likely been brought on by an autoimmune disorder (rheumatoid arthritis) in a relatively young patient and healed in under 5 months with Enluxtra.

About the patient and previous treatment
A 49-year-old female with a long history of rheumatoid arthritis presented with a lower extremity ulcer that has previously been treated at a hospital. After an endovenous laser treatment the patient has been advised against further vein treatments due to potential health risks.
The patient sought second opinion regarding her wound at a wound clinic and has been treated with enzymatic ointment, hydroconductive dressings with little success. She has decided against a skin graft application due to her need to shower daily. She was taking several oral medications for her wound-related pain (Norco, Meloxicam and prednisone) as well as using topical steroid cream during the day and topical lidocaine at night. 
In the 8 months that the patient had the wound there has been no healing progress and the wound continued to deteriorate. Enluxtra treatment has been suggested and the patient agreed to give it a try.

Enluxtra's surprise effect and wound closure
​To the patient's and her attending clinicians' delight, once Enluxtra treatment started, not only the wound began to close up but the wound-related pain was steadily decreasing as well. Within 1 month the patient no longer had daytime pain and after 1.5 months she commented: "I no longer feel like my leg is being gnawed off". As the wound continued to heal, the patient was able to stop the topical lidocaine and reduce the dosage of Norco. 
After 5 months of continuous Enluxtra dressing applications the wound has closed.

​Scroll down to view the photos of the healing progress and clinical notes.

Learn more about Enluxtra

• View  Enluxtra case studies to see how it can heal the most difficult, stubborn wounds that resisted previous treatment with other products.
• Find out about Enluxtra difference.
• To buy Enluxtra dressings visit our online store, or explore other purchasing options.
• Order free samples available to medical professionals.
• ​​​Read other posts in our blog.

Week 0. ​Post EVLT treatment the patient has been unsuccessfully using enzymatic ointment along with topical pain medication. The wound measured 6cm x 4.8cm x 0.4cm with moderate drainage.
Pain level was 7 out of 10.
The wound bed contained 75% slough and 25% pink granulation tissue. The peri-wound was moist, edematous, with blisters.
Enluxtra dressing was started. 

Week 5. After 30 days of daily Enluxtra dressing changes wound size decreased to 5.8cm x 3.9cm x 0.2cm with moderate drainage. The wound bed contained 25% slough and 75% pink/red granulation tissue.
Edematous peri-wound was dry without blisters, pain was 3 out of 10. Overall condition of the wound was improved. Patient reported no pain during the day. Pain medication dosage has been reduced.

Week 9. ​By day 58 wound size decreased drastically to 3cm x 1.4cm x 0cm with minimal drainage.
The patient was able to stop topical analgesic.
The wound bed contained 50% slough, 50% pink/red granulation tissue. The peri-wound remained moist and edematous. Enluxtra dressing changes continued daily per patient’s request.

Week 18. The wound healed within 5 months’ time.
While the Enluxtra treatment was successful overall, daily dressing changes were not necessary once the slough was removed. The wound would have benefitted from less frequent dressing changes, which would have preserved homeostasis and allowed the wound to heal even faster.

We are excited to present one of the more recent cases where a rare condition – pyoderma gangrenosum wound - has been healed in 6 months with Enluxtra after displaying no progress for over 4 years with other products.

Who is the patient?
Our patient is an 86-year-old female suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and comorbidities including hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sleep apnea (non-compliant with CPAP), congestive heart failure, and gout. Her severely painful ankle wound common with her autoimmune condition has been present for over 4 years and confirmed as pyoderma gangrenosum via punch biopsy.

Previous treatment she had
Our patient has been treated at outpatient wound care clinics and used the help of home care nurse. Her previous treatment included enzymatic and antibacterial ointments and cream, honey-based and silver-based products, alginates and sharp debridement.

Switching to Enluxtra
​After years of unsuccessful treatment attempts our patient could no longer tolerate surgical debridement and was frustrated with no progress. She was recommended to give Enluxtra a try and chose to self-treat, initially purchasing the dressings from Amazon and then obtained a prescription to be filled via a DME supplier.

Progress and healing with Enluxtra
Enluxtra dressing was started with a daily 6”x6” dressing application overlapping generously onto the skin around the wound. The patient cleansed the wound and peri-wound area with an HOCL wound cleanser and applied Enluxtra, and then secured it with cotton netting.
Daily dressing changes were performed at the beginning of treatment, and then change frequency was gradually reduced and adjusted to the condition of the dressing drainage pattern, state of the wound, patient’s comfort and level of drainage that fluctuated due to comorbidities. 
This elderly patient has been able to treat her own wound successfully with the regular help and advice of the medical professional knowledgeable about Enluxtra dressing with whom she communicated via phone and email. 

​Scroll down to view photos of wound progress and clinical notes.

Learn more about Enluxtra

• View  Enluxtra case studies to see how it can heal the most difficult, stubborn wounds that resisted previous treatment with other products.
• Find out about Enluxtra difference.
• To buy Enluxtra dressings visit our online store, or explore other purchasing options.
• Order free samples available to medical professionals.
• ​​​Read other posts in our blog.

Week 0. At presentation and before Enluxtra treatment was started. The patient started applications of 6"x6" Enluxtra dressings.

Week 2. ​Within two weeks of Enluxtra applications, wound edges and peri-wound started looking healthier. The wound still had a lot of bioburden and it was recommended to the patient to improve the contact of Enluxtra dressing with the wound bed to facilitate the removal of biofilm. The patient started placing some 4”x4” folded gauze on top of Enluxtra to press it down and then applying a cotton tubular elastic net bandage over it. 

Week 7.  By the middle of week 7 the wound bed was flattened and wound edges started contracting. The peri-wound was dry but healthy. Daytime pain decreased to level 1-2 out of 10. Night time pain level varied from 5 to 7. Some pain relief could be achieved when changing the leg position to dependent (below the level of the heart). This was likely ischemic pain due to the patient’s poor circulation. 

Week 13.  Epithelial cell migration continued to bring the wound edges closer together. It was advised to the patient that this important stage of healing required extra care with dressing application and removal in order to protect the fragile new tissue growth.
​

Week 23. Continued Enluxtra dressing applications with variable change frequency (dependent on the patient’s comfort level) brought this atypical wound to full re-epithelialization and closure.

Enluxtra Smart Wound Dressings are now available to all clinicians for wound healing at Baylor Scott & White Health (BSWH). Baylor Health has now joined a group of such prominent medical organizations as UCSF, SFGH, the VA, and many others that currently use Enluxtra to treat wounds.

If you are a part of the BSWH system and are treating patients with wounds, please inquire about Enluxtra – a proven, advanced yet affordable product that lives up to the highest standard of care.

Find out how Enluxtra smart polymer technology can help you achieve spectacular clinical outcomes with minimal hassle on all types of wounds.

Enluxtra information on How to Use  and  online education materials  are available at www.Enluxtra.com.

FREE SAMPLES available for medical professionals nationwide.

We are proud to join the BSWH community and look forward to positive changes that Enluxtra can bring both to clinical staff and wound care patients.

Happy Healing!

​Read other posts in our blog.