EFFICACY OF METRONIDAZOLE IN CONTROLLING MALODOR IN NECROTIC WOUNDS: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Odor in necrotic wounds, caused mainly by anaerobic bacteria, is one of the factors that compromises patients' quality of life. In this context, metronidazole, an antimicrobial active against anaerobic bacteria, stands out as a possible alternative for odor control, contributing to the improvement of the patient's biopsychosocial aspects. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of metronidazole in controlling foul odor in necrotic wounds. Seven studies addressing the use of metronidazole for odor control in necrotic wounds were analyzed. The results showed that metronidazole is widely used to control odor in wounds with devitalized tissue, demonstrating effectiveness in reducing foul smell. It was observed that both topical and systemic routes contributed to odor reduction, with a rapid response, especially when combined with other dressings that promote microbial load reduction. However, the analyzed studies present limitations. It is concluded that metronidazole is an effective strategy for controlling odor in necrotic wounds, especially when incorporated into a comprehensive and individualized care plan.