Topical honey as adjunctive therapy to standard dressing in deep neck abscess: a single-blind randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

Deep neck abscess (DNA) is a otorhinolaryngological condition associated with morbidity, mortality, high treatment costs, and long-term wound care. Optimizing wound management is essential to improve outcomes and reduce healthcare burden. Honey is expected to be an effective treatment modality and may serve as an effective adjunctive therapy.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness of standard wound dressing combined with honey versus standard dressing in patients with DNA, based on wound size, Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool (BWATs) scores, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), white blood cell (WBC) count, bacterial colony growth, and expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

METHODS

A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted at Dr. Sardjito General Hospital between May 2024 and June 2025. Participants received either standard dressing or standard dressing supplemented with honey. Outcomes were analyzed using appropriate parametric and nonparametric statistical methods.

RESULTS

Honey supplementation showed comparable clinical outcomes to standard dressings, demonstrated greater reductions in inflammatory markers (IL-1, TNF-α) and increased VEGF expression.

CONCLUSION

Honey as an adjunct to standard dressing may serve as an effective adjunct DNA wound healing by enhancing anti-inflammatory and proliferative responses.