MolecuLight Fluorescence Imaging Demonstrates Superior Outcomes in Deep Sternal Wound Infections, Reducing Costs and Complications
Key Insights
A Taiwan study published in the Journal of Wound Care shows MolecuLight (search)'s real-time fluorescence imaging significantly improves infection control in deep sternal wound infections, with 26-fold higher likelihood of normalized white blood cell counts within 7 days.
The technology reduced antibiotic use duration from 29.5 to 22 days and cut antibiotic costs by nearly two-thirds, while patients experienced 70% shorter ICU stays and 20% faster complete wound healing.
MolecuLight (search) imaging was associated with 82% lower risk of in-hospital wound reinfection and 86% lower risk of recurrent osteomyelitis compared to standard hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
A pivotal study from Taiwan demonstrates that MolecuLight (search)'s real-time fluorescence imaging technology significantly improves clinical outcomes and reduces healthcare costs when treating deep sternal wound infections (DSWI), marking a major advancement in post-surgical wound management.
The retrospective study, titled "Effects of adjuvant hyperbaric oxygen therapy and real-time fluorescent imaging on deep sternal wound infection," published in the Journal of Wound Care (2025), revealed dramatic improvements across multiple clinical parameters when MolecuLight (search) imaging was incorporated into treatment protocols compared to standard hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) alone.
Superior Infection Control and Faster Recovery
The study demonstrated that MolecuLight (search)-guided treatment increased the likelihood of white blood cell counts returning to normal within 7 days by 26-fold, with 72.7% of patients achieving normalization compared to just 9.1% in the HBOT group. Similarly, C-reactive protein levels normalized within 14 days at a 7-fold higher rate, with 78.8% of MolecuLight patients achieving normal levels versus 31.8% in the control group.
Patients treated with MolecuLight (search) imaging experienced significantly shorter ICU stays, averaging 3 days compared to 10 days for the HBOT group—a 70% reduction. Complete wound healing was achieved 20% faster, with patients recovering in 40 days versus 50 days with standard treatment.
Substantial Cost Reductions and Reduced Antibiotic Use
The economic impact proved equally compelling. The MolecuLight (search) group required antibiotics for a significantly shorter duration—22 days versus 29.5 days—leading to nearly two-thirds lower antibiotic costs at $573.57 USD compared to $1,643.78 USD for the HBOT group.
"This study demonstrates that MolecuLight (search) delivers tangible benefits in clinical wound management and also serves as a valuable teaching tool in our daily practice," said study author Dr. Shun-Cheng Chang from Shuang-Ho Hospital (search). "The ability to visualize bacterial presence in real time allows us to more effectively guide younger physicians in understanding critical principles of infection control and intraoperative wound assessment."
Dramatic Reduction in Complications
Perhaps most significantly, MolecuLight (search) imaging was associated with an 82% lower likelihood of in-hospital wound reinfection and an 86% lower risk of recurrent osteomyelitis—critical factors affecting long-term patient outcomes and healthcare expenditure.
The study highlighted MolecuLight (search)'s ability to guide more precise and effective debridement, described as "a cornerstone of successful wound management and infection control."
Systematic Review Validates Technology Across Applications
Supporting these findings, researchers at Trinity College Dublin and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland published the first systematic review compiling data from 17 studies on fluorescence imaging. The review, titled "The Clinical Utility of Autofluorescence Imaging for Bacterial Detection in Wounds," establishes the crucial role of MolecuLight (search)'s technology in wound assessment.
The systematic review revealed that bacterial bioburden, frequently undetectable via visual inspection and present in over 80% of chronic wounds, can be effectively identified using MolecuLight (search) devices. In one publication included in the review, MolecuLight led clinicians to change their treatment plans 68.9% of the time.
"The real-time visualization of bacteria provides immediate practical information that guides treatment decisions, leading to more effective care plans and ultimately, better outcomes for patients," said study author Rosemarie Derwin, PhD, from Trinity College Dublin's School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Expanding Beyond Chronic Wound Care
The Taiwan study underscores MolecuLight (search)'s growing recognition beyond chronic wound care and its increasing adoption in critical surgical applications. The company's advanced imaging system provides surgeons with real-time bacterial visualization capabilities to optimize outcomes and better manage post-operative complications.
"These compelling results further validate the significant clinical and economic value of MolecuLight (search)'s technology, not only in chronic wound care but also in critical surgical applications," said Anil Amlani, CEO of MolecuLight. "This study, along with our growing adoption in surgical settings, reflects the increasing recognition of our ability to provide critical, real-time information that empowers clinicians to make better decisions at the point of care."
MolecuLight (search)'s i:X® and DX™ wound imaging devices are the only Class II FDA-cleared point-of-care imaging devices for real-time detection of elevated bacterial burden in wounds, supported by over 100 peer-reviewed publications demonstrating their clinical utility and impact.