Efficacy of a Novel Zinc-Pectin Hydrogel Versus Standard Silver Dressings for Chronic Venous Leg Ulcers

Abstract

Background: Chronic venous leg ulcers are difficult-to-heal wounds associated with persistent inflammation, recurrent infection, pain, exudate burden, and impaired quality of life. Although silver dressings are widely used for antimicrobial wound care, their effects on tissue repair may be inconsistent, supporting the need for biologically compatible alternatives that promote healing while controlling infection. Objective: To compare the clinical effectiveness of zinc–pectin hydrogel versus standard silver dressings in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers. Methods: A parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted among 84 adults with chronic venous leg ulcers, allocated equally to zinc–pectin hydrogel or silver dressing groups. Both groups received standardized wound cleansing, dressing changes every 48 hours, compression therapy, and routine wound-care education over six weeks. Primary outcomes were percentage reduction in ulcer area and time to 50% wound closure. Secondary outcomes included infection rate, pain intensity measured by Visual Analog Scale, and exudate score. Results: Seventy-seven participants completed follow-up, including 39 in the zinc–pectin hydrogel group and 38 in the silver dressing group. Zinc–pectin hydrogel produced greater ulcer area reduction than silver dressing (68.4% ± 15.2 vs 52.1% ± 14.7; p<0.001) and shorter time to 50% wound closure (3.8 ± 1.1 vs 4.9 ± 1.3 weeks; p=0.002). Infection frequency was lower with zinc–pectin hydrogel (12.8% vs 28.9%; p=0.048), with better pain and exudate improvement. Conclusion: Zinc–pectin hydrogel was more effective than standard silver dressings in improving short-term healing, infection control, pain, and exudate outcomes in chronic venous leg ulcers