Microparticle-based antibiotic topical formulations for chronic wound treatment: A scoping review protocol

Chronic wounds are characterized by delayed healing and persistent inflammation, often worsened by infection and biofilm formation. The rise of antimicrobial resistance further complicates treatment, reducing the efficacy of antibiotics. In this context, microparticle-based delivery systems have emerged as a promising alternative for localized, controlled antibiotic release at the wound site. This scoping review aims to identify and synthesize the available scientific evidence on microparticle-based topical antibiotic formulations developed for chronic wound treatment. The review will be conducted according to the JBI Evidence Synthesis methodology, with reporting guided by the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Comprehensive searches will be carried out in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using a structured search strategy. Predefined descriptors and eligibility criteria will be used to identify relevant studies. All stages of the review, including title and abstract screening, full-text assessment, and data extraction, will be conducted independently and in duplicate by two reviewers. A third researcher will resolve any disagreements. Relevant data will be systematically organized in Excel, and the final results will be interpreted and discussed by the entire research team.