Cochrane Wounds systematic reviews

What is a systematic review?

Where to find our reviews:

Have a look at all our latest publications.

All our protocols and reviews are published online in the Cochrane Library. You can find them here.   

A list of our completed reviews and protocols and registered titles is shown below, with links to abstracts where available.     

Abstracts of our reviews are also published in the following journals:

Journal of Tissue Viability

EWMA Journal

International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds.                                                                                                                                                                  

                                   

The Cochrane Consumer Network has a web site which includes summaries of Cochrane Reviews of evidence and more than half of these have additional consumer summaries.

Our Reviews

Full list:

By subtopic:

CHRONIC WOUNDS (2)
Ulcers (2)
Sickle cell ulcers (2)
Treatments for leg ulcers in people with sickle cell disease
Treatments for leg ulcers in people with sickle cell disease
Trophic ulcers (0)
PRESSURE ULCERS (50)
Prevention (17)
Use of risk calculator tools (1)
Risk assessment tools for the prevention of pressure ulcers
Nutrition (1)
Nutritional interventions for preventing and treating pressure ulcers
Pressure reduction and relief (8)
Repositioning and mobilisation (1)
Repositioning for pressure injury prevention in adults
Support surfaces (7)
Support surfaces for pressure ulcer prevention
Alternative reactive support surfaces (non-foam and non-air-filled) for preventing pressure ulcers
Reactive air surfaces for preventing pressure ulcers
Alternating pressure (active) air surfaces for preventing pressure ulcers
Foam surfaces for preventing pressure ulcers
Pressure redistributing static chairs for preventing pressure ulcers (protocol stage)
Beds, overlays and mattresses for preventing and treating pressure ulcers: an overview of Cochrane Reviews and network meta-analysis
Local skin care (3)
Dressings and topical agents (2)
Dressings and topical agents for preventing pressure ulcers
Topical silver for preventing wound infection
Massage (1)
Massage therapy for preventing pressure ulcers
Organisation of care (4)
Education of healthcare professionals for preventing pressure ulcers
Organisation of health services for preventing and treating pressure ulcers
Patient and lay carer education for preventing pressure ulceration in at-risk populations
Wound-care teams for preventing and treating pressure ulcers
Treatment (33)
Pressure reduction and relief (7)
Repositioning and mobilisation (2)
Bed rest for pressure ulcer healing in wheelchair users
Repositioning for treating pressure ulcers
Support surfaces (5)
Bed rest for pressure ulcer healing in wheelchair users
Pressure-relieving devices for treating heel pressure ulcers
Support surfaces for treating pressure ulcers
Beds, overlays and mattresses for preventing and treating pressure ulcers: an overview of Cochrane Reviews and network meta-analysis
Beds, overlays and mattresses for treating pressure ulcers
Nutrition (1)
Nutritional interventions for preventing and treating pressure ulcers
Systemic Drug Therapy (3)
Anabolic steroids for treating pressure ulcers
Antibiotics and antiseptics for pressure ulcers
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for chronic wounds
Surgery (2)
Plastic surgery (1)
Reconstructive surgery for treating pressure ulcers
Skin grafting (1)
Hydrogel dressings for donor sites of split-thickness skin grafts (protocol stage)
Physical therapies (5)
Laser / light therapy (1)
Phototherapy for treating pressure ulcers
Oxygen therapy (0)
Ultrasound (1)
Therapeutic ultrasound for pressure ulcers
Heating and cooling (0)
Electrical therapies (2)
Electromagnetic therapy for treating pressure ulcers
Electrical stimulation for treating pressure ulcers
Negative pressure therapy (1)
Negative pressure wound therapy for treating pressure ulcers
Local wound treatment (12)
Dressings and topical agents (10)
Alginate dressings for treating pressure ulcers
Aloe vera for treating acute and chronic wounds
Antibiotics and antiseptics for pressure ulcers
Dressings and topical agents containing hyaluronic acid for chronic wound healing (protocol stage)
Foam dressings for treating pressure ulcers
Honey as a topical treatment for wounds
Hydrogel dressings for treating pressure ulcers
Topical phenytoin for treating pressure ulcers
Topical silver for treating infected wounds
Dressings and topical agents for treating pressure ulcers
Debridement (0)
Growth factors (1)
Autologous platelet-rich plasma for treating chronic wounds
Wound cleansing (1)
Wound cleansing for pressure ulcers
Organisation of care (3)
Bed rest for pressure ulcer healing in wheelchair users
Organisation of health services for preventing and treating pressure ulcers
Wound-care teams for preventing and treating pressure ulcers
VENOUS ULCERS (38)
Prevention (3)
Compression (1)
Compression for preventing recurrence of venous ulcers
Local skin care (1)
Dressings and topical agents (1)
Topical silver for preventing wound infection
Organisation of care (0)
Surgery (1)
Vein surgery (1)
Subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS) for treating venous leg ulcers
Treatment (35)
Compression (5)
Compression bandages and hosiery (3)
Compression for venous leg ulcers
Compression bandages or stockings versus no compression for treating venous leg ulcers
Interventions for helping people adhere to compression treatments for venous leg ulceration
Intermittent pneumatic compression (2)
Intermittent pneumatic compression for treating venous leg ulcers
Interventions for helping people adhere to compression treatments for venous leg ulceration
Nutrition (0)
Local wound care (15)
Debridement (1)
Debridement for venous leg ulcers
Growth factors (1)
Autologous platelet-rich plasma for treating chronic wounds
Wound cleansing (1)
Wound cleansing for treating venous leg ulcers
Dressings and topical agents (12)
A 'test and treat' strategy for elevated wound protease activity for healing in venous leg ulcers
Alginate dressings for venous leg ulcers
Aloe vera for treating acute and chronic wounds
Antibiotics and antiseptics for venous leg ulcers
Dressings and topical agents for treating venous leg ulcers
Dressings and topical agents containing hyaluronic acid for chronic wound healing (protocol stage)
Honey as a topical treatment for wounds
Hydrogel dressings for venous leg ulcers (protocol stage)
Protease activity as a prognostic factor for wound healing in venous leg ulcers
Protease-modulating matrix treatments for healing venous leg ulcers
Topical agents or dressings for pain in venous leg ulcers
Topical silver for treating infected wounds
Surgery (2)
Plastic surgery (0)
Skin grafting (1)
Skin grafting for venous leg ulcers
Vein surgery (1)
Subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS) for treating venous leg ulcers
Physical therapies (6)
Therapeutic ultrasound for venous leg ulcers
Electromagnetic therapy for treating venous leg ulcers
Endovenous thermal ablation for healing venous ulcers and preventing recurrence
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for the healing and management of venous leg ulcers
Low-level light therapy for treating venous leg ulcers (protocol stage)
Negative pressure wound therapy for treating leg ulcers
Systemic drug therapy (7)
Antibiotics and antiseptics for venous leg ulcers
Flavonoids for treating venous leg ulcers
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for chronic wounds
Oral aspirin for treating venous leg ulcers
Oral zinc for arterial and venous leg ulcers
Pentoxifylline for treating venous leg ulcers
Sulodexide for treating venous leg ulcers
Organisation of care (0)
DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS (33)
Prevention (4)
Complex interventions (2)
Complex interventions for preventing diabetic foot ulceration
Psychological interventions for treating foot ulcers, and preventing their recurrence, in people with diabetes
Education (1)
Patient education (1)
Patient education for preventing diabetic foot ulceration
Education of care providers (0)
Local skin care (1)
Dressings and topical agents (1)
Topical silver for preventing wound infection
Pressure reduction and relief (0)
Podiatry (0)
Orthoses (0)
Treatment (29)
Local wound care (16)
Dressings and topical agents (12)
Alginate dressings for healing diabetic foot ulcers
Aloe vera for treating acute and chronic wounds
Dressings and topical agents containing hyaluronic acid for chronic wound healing (protocol stage)
Dressings for treating foot ulcers in people with diabetes: an overview of systematic reviews
Foam dressings for healing diabetic foot ulcers
Honey as a topical treatment for wounds
Hydrocolloid dressings for healing diabetic foot ulcers
Hydrogel dressings for healing diabetic foot ulcers
Ozone therapy for treating foot ulcers in people with diabetes
Silver based wound dressings and topical agents for treating diabetic foot ulcers
Topical antimicrobial agents for treating foot ulcers in people with diabetes
Topical silver for treating infected wounds
Debridement (1)
Debridement of diabetic foot ulcers
Growth factors (3)
Autologous platelet-rich plasma for treating chronic wounds
Granulocyte-colony stimulating factors as adjunctive therapy for diabetic foot infections
Growth factors for treating diabetic foot ulcers
Organisation of care (2)
Intensive versus conventional glycaemic control for treating diabetic foot ulcers
Psychological interventions for treating foot ulcers, and preventing their recurrence, in people with diabetes
Nutrition (2)
Intensive versus conventional glycaemic control for treating diabetic foot ulcers
Nutritional interventions for treating foot ulcers in people with diabetes
Physical therapies (3)
Electrical therapies (0)
Heating and cooling (0)
Laser / light therapy (1)
Phototherapy for treating foot ulcers in people with diabetes
Negative pressure therapy (1)
Negative pressure wound therapy for treating foot wounds in people with diabetes mellitus
Oxygen therapy (1)
Ozone therapy for treating foot ulcers in people with diabetes
Pressure reduction and relief (1)
Podiatry (0)
Orthoses (1)
Pressure-relieving interventions for treating diabetic foot ulcers
Skin replacements (2)
Matrix devices for healing foot ulcers in people with diabetes (protocol stage)
Skin grafting and tissue replacement for treating foot ulcers in people with diabetes
Systemic drug therapy (3)
Systemic antibiotics for treating diabetic foot infections
Intensive versus conventional glycaemic control for treating diabetic foot ulcers
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for chronic wounds
RHEUMATOID ULCERS (1)
Prevention (0)
Treatment (1)
Local wound care (1)
Dressings and topical agents (1)
Topical silver for treating infected wounds
Physical therapies (0)
Systemic drug therapy (0)
BURNS (31)
Prevention of infection (5)
Local wound care (3)
Antibiotic prophylaxis for preventing burn wound infection
Antiseptics for burns
Topical treatment for facial burns
Systemic drug therapy (2)
Antibiotic prophylaxis for preventing burn wound infection
Antiseptics for burns
Treatment (21)
Compression (0)
Compression garments (0)
Local wound care (12)
Dressings and topical agents (10)
Aloe vera for treating acute and chronic wounds
Antiseptics for burns
Dressings for superficial and partial thickness burns
Honey as a topical treatment for wounds
Interventions for postburn pruritus (protocol stage)
Interventions for treating phosphorus burns
Topical silver for preventing wound infection
Silicone gel sheeting for preventing and treating hypertrophic and keloid scars
Topical silver for treating infected wounds
Topical treatment for facial burns
Debridement (2)
Interventions for treating phosphorus burns
Hydrosurgical debridement versus conventional surgical debridement for acute partial-thickness burns
Surgery (1)
Skin grafting (1)
Interventions for postburn pruritus (protocol stage)
Systemic drug therapy (6)
Antimicrobials (2)
Antiseptics for burns
Interventions for postburn pruritus (protocol stage)
Drug therapy (4)
Antiseptics for burns
Recombinant human growth hormone for treating burns and donor sites
Interventions for postburn pruritus (protocol stage)
Interventions for treating phosphorus burns
Physical therapies (2)
Negative pressure therapy (1)
Negative pressure wound therapy for partial-thickness burns
Other physical therapies (1)
Interventions for postburn pruritus (protocol stage)
Whirlpool therapy (0)
Prevention of scarring (3)
Compression (1)
Compression garments (1)
Pressure-garment therapy for preventing hypertrophic scarring after burn injury (protocol stage)
Local wound care (2)
Dressings and topical agents (2)
Interventions for postburn pruritus (protocol stage)
Silicone gel sheeting for preventing and treating hypertrophic and keloid scars
Treatment of scarring (2)
Silicone gel sheeting for treating hypertrophic scars (protocol stage)
Silicone gel sheeting for treating keloid scars (protocol stage)
BITES (3)
Treatment (3)
Local wound care (2)
Dressings and topical agents (2)
Aloe vera for treating acute and chronic wounds
Topical silver for treating infected wounds
Physical therapies (0)
Negative pressure therapy (0)
Systemic drug therapy (1)
Antimicrobials (1)
Antibiotic prophylaxis for mammalian bites
Surgery (0)
Surgical flaps (0)
LACERATIONS / TRAUMATIC WOUNDS (12)
Treatment (12)
Physical therapies (3)
Negative pressure therapy (1)
Negative pressure wound therapy for open traumatic wounds
Other physical therapies (2)
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for treating acute surgical and traumatic wounds
Interventions for treating gas gangrene
Surgery (4)
Grafting (1)
Hydrogel dressings for donor sites of split-thickness skin grafts (protocol stage)
Plastic surgery (0)
Surgical repair (3)
Closure material (2)
​Primary closure versus delayed or no closure for traumatic wounds due to mammalian bite
Tissue adhesives for traumatic lacerations in children and adults
Timing of repair (1)
Primary closure versus delayed closure for non bite traumatic wounds within 24 hours post injury
Local wound care (4)
Dressings and topical agents (3)
Aloe vera for treating acute and chronic wounds
Honey as a topical treatment for wounds
Topical silver for treating infected wounds
Wound cleansing (1)
Interventions for treating gas gangrene
Systemic drug therapy (1)
Antimicrobials (1)
Interventions for treating gas gangrene
GUNSHOT WOUNDS (1)
Treatment (1)
Surgery (0)
Local wound care (1)
Dressings and topical agents (1)
Topical silver for treating infected wounds
Systemic drug therapy (0)
Antimicrobials (0)
MALIGNANT WOUNDS (2)
Treatment (2)
Local wound care (1)
Dressings and topical agents (1)
Topical agents and dressings for fungating wounds
Systemic drug therapy (1)
Systemic antibiotics for treating malignant wounds
Physical therapies (0)
Radiotherapy (0)
Negative pressure therapy (0)
Surgery (0)
SURGICAL WOUNDS (62)
Infection control (11)
Dressings and topical agents (4)
Antibiotics and antiseptics for surgical wounds healing by secondary intention
Nasal decontamination for the prevention of surgical site infection in carriers
Topical silver for preventing wound infection
Topical antibiotics for preventing surgical site infection in wounds healing by primary intention
Nutrition (1)
Peri-operative glycaemic control regimens for preventing surgical site infections in adults
Post operative care (3)
Intracavity lavage and wound irrigation for prevention of surgical site infection
Antibiotics and antiseptics for surgical wounds healing by secondary intention
Early versus delayed post-operative bathing or showering to prevent wound complications
Systemic drug therapy (3)
Antibiotic therapy for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in surgical wounds
Antibiotics and antiseptics for surgical wounds healing by secondary intention
Antibiotic prophylaxis for preventing infectious complications in orthognathic surgery
Post operative care (2)
Intracavity lavage and wound irrigation for prevention of surgical site infection
Antibiotics and antiseptics for surgical wounds healing by secondary intention
Treatment (38)
Local wound care (11)
Debridement (2)
Debridement for surgical wounds
Interventions for treating gas gangrene
Dressings and topical agents (9)
Aloe vera for treating acute and chronic wounds
Antibiotics and antiseptics for surgical wounds healing by secondary intention
Dressings and topical agents for surgical wounds healing by secondary intention
Dressings for the prevention of surgical site infection
Early versus delayed dressing removal after primary closure of clean and clean-contaminated surgical wounds
Honey as a topical treatment for wounds
Pin site care for preventing infections associated with external bone fixators and pins
Rigid dressings versus soft dressings for transtibial amputations
Topical silver for treating infected wounds
Growth factors (0)
Physical therapies (4)
Negative pressure therapy (3)
Negative pressure wound therapy for managing the open abdomen in non-trauma patients (protocol stage)
Negative pressure wound therapy for surgical wounds healing by primary closure
Negative pressure wound therapy for treating surgical wounds healing by secondary intention
Other physical therapies (1)
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for treating acute surgical and traumatic wounds
Warming therapy (0)
Systemic drug therapy (6)
Antibiotics and antiseptics for surgical wounds healing by secondary intention
Systemic antimicrobial prophylaxis for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
Antimicrobial drugs for treating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization
Perioperative corticosteroids for preventing complications following facial plastic surgery
Prophylactic antibiotics to prevent surgical site infection after breast cancer surgery
Interventions for treating gas gangrene
Drainage systems (6)
Wound drains following thyroid surgery
Wound drainage for lower limb arterial surgery
Wound drainage after plastic and reconstructive surgery of the breast
Wound drainage following groin dissection for malignant disease in adults
Wound drainage for caesarean section
Wound drains after incisional hernia repair
Skin closure methods (3)
Staples (1)
Staples versus sutures for closing leg wounds after vein graft harvesting for coronary artery bypass surgery.
Adhesives (1)
Tissue adhesives for closure of surgical incisions
Sutures (1)
Staples versus sutures for closing leg wounds after vein graft harvesting for coronary artery bypass surgery.
Skin preparation methods (5)
Pre-operative washing (1)
Preoperative bathing or showering with skin antiseptics to prevent surgical site infection
Surgical site hair removal (1)
Preoperative hair removal to reduce surgical site infection
Skin drapes (0)
Topical applications (3)
Skin preparation with alcohol versus alcohol followed by any antiseptic for preventing bacteraemia or contamination of blood for transfusion
Cyanoacrylate microbial sealants for skin preparation prior to surgery
Preoperative skin antiseptics for preventing surgical wound infections after clean surgery
Topical drug therapy (3)
Antibiotics and antiseptics for surgical wounds healing by secondary intention
Antimicrobial drugs for treating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization
Interventions for treating gas gangrene
Operating theatre procedure (11)
Clothing (3)
Disposable surgical face masks for preventing surgical wound infection in clean surgery
Double gloving to reduce surgical cross-infection
Gloves, gowns and masks for reducing the transmission of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the hospital setting
Drapes (1)
Use of plastic adhesive drapes during surgery for preventing surgical site infection
Handwashing (2)
Removal of nail polish and finger rings to prevent surgical infection
Surgical hand antisepsis to reduce surgical site infection
Air flow in operating theatre (0)
Surgical procedure (5)
Continuous versus interrupted skin sutures for non-obstetric surgery
Scalpel versus electrosurgery for major abdominal incisions
Subcuticular sutures for skin closure in non-obstetric surgery
Subcutaneous closure versus no subcutaneous closure after non-caesarean surgical procedures
Peritoneal closure versus no peritoneal closure for patients undergoing non-obstetric abdominal operations
SKIN ABCESSES (8)
Prevention (0)
Treatment (8)
Surgery (1)
Delayed versus immediate closure (1)
Healing by primary versus secondary intention after surgical treatment for pilonidal sinus
Primary versus secondary intention (0)
Surgical techniques (0)
Local wound care (6)
Dressings and topical agents (6)
Aloe vera for treating acute and chronic wounds
Linezolid versus vancomycin for skin and soft tissue infections
Dressings and topical agents for the management of open wounds after surgical treatment for sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus (protocol stage)
Fibrin glue for pilonidal sinus disease
Internal dressings for healing perianal abscess cavities
Topical silver for treating infected wounds
Systemic drug therapy (1)
Antimicrobials (1)
Linezolid versus vancomycin for skin and soft tissue infections
OTHER REVIEWS (23)
Infection control (18)
Skin preparation with alcohol versus alcohol followed by any antiseptic for preventing bacteraemia or contamination of blood for transfusion
Linezolid versus vancomycin for skin and soft tissue infections
Antibiotic therapy for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in non surgical wounds
Antibiotic prophylaxis for preventing infectious complications in orthognathic surgery
Chlorhexidine bathing of the critically ill for the prevention of hospital-acquired infection
Cyanoacrylate microbial sealants for skin preparation prior to surgery
Decontamination of environmental surfaces in hospitals to reduce hospital acquired infections (protocol stage)
Dressings and securement devices for central venous catheters (CVC)
Frequency of dressing changes for central venous access devices on catheter-related infections
Infection control strategies for preventing the transmission of meticillin-resistant (MRSA) in nursing homes for older people
Nasal decontamination for the prevention of surgical site infection in carriers
Intraoperative interventions for preventing surgical site infection: an overview of Cochrane Reviews
Chinese herbal medicines for treating skin and soft-tissue infections
Skin antisepsis for reducing central venous catheter-related infections
Gloves, gowns and masks for reducing the transmission of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the hospital setting
Antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) related complications in surgical patients
Mupirocin ointment for preventing Staphylococcus aureus infections in nasal carriers
Vitamin C for preventing and treating tetanus
Peri-operative complications (3)
Devices and dressings to secure peripheral venous catheters to prevent complications
Preoperative fasting for adults to prevent perioperative complications
Preoperative fasting for preventing perioperative complications in children
Post-operative complications (2)
Dressings and securement devices to prevent complications for peripheral arterial catheters (protocol stage)
Devices and dressings to secure peripheral venous catheters to prevent complications
ACUTE WOUNDS (2)
Scarring (1)
Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (protocol stage)
Therapeutic touch (0)
Cleansing techniques (1)
Water for wound cleansing