The use of Indonesian randu honey for chronic wounds in a patient with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Honey has been recorded as having healing properties at a low cost. Many studies have been conducted related to Manuka honey, but studies about Indonesian randu honey are still limited. We report the use of Indonesian randu honey as a wound dressing on non-pressure chronic skin ulcers in uncontrolled T2DM patient. CASE PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old man with uncontrolled T2DM came with an unrecovered wound. A thorough inspection revealed several exposed bones, tendons, muscles, and meniscus in the left lower leg region. It was supposed to be amputated, but he declined. He received insulin, debridement, STSG, and a combination of Indonesian randu honey dressing and VAC on the exposed wound before and after the debridement and STSG. There was skin graft lysis, and we intended to do another surgery, but he preferred to be an outpatient. As an outpatient, he received honey wound dressing and insulin. After 1.5 years, the wound was fully closed, and he could walk with the help of a walking stick. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Treatment for multiple exposed bones, tendons, and muscles in uncontrolled T2DM patient are complex. Studies reported that Indonesian honey could provide an antibacterial effect, cost-efficiency, speed up wound healing with no side effects, and no physical-chemical properties differences compared to Manuka honey. CONCLUSION: Using Indonesian randu honey as wound dressing could stimulate wound healing with no side effects in chronic wounds with uncontrolled T2DM that were supposed to be amputated. However, it took several months for the wound to fully close.