Use of topical morphine gel in epidermolysis bullosa wounds-A series of case studies

Abstract

In recent years, the use of topical morphine gel has increased in the palliative care setting to reduce pain in chronic wounds and fungating tumours. However, there is a paucity of evidence to support its effectiveness. Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a rare genetic skin fragility disorder characterised by painful chronic wounds. Adequate control of wound pain can be challenging in this patient group due to other complexities associated with the more severe sub-types of the disease. Topical morphine gel has been used as an adjunct therapy in a small number of EB patients in our tertiary centre in an attempt to improve pain control and quality of life. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the efficacy of topical morphine gel used in a variety of EB wounds as well as patient reported reduction in pain through a series of case studies. The case studies suggest a positive effect of topical morphine gel on painful wounds across a spectrum of EB subtypes.

Keywords: chronic wounds; epidermolysis bullosa; morphine wound gel; wound pain.