Natural coniferous resin salve used to treat complicated surgical wounds: pilot clinical trial on healing and costs.

Resin is a natural product of coniferous trees. Salves manufactured from spruce resin (Picea abies) have been used for centuries to treat wounds and skin infections. We report a pilot clinical trial designed to investigate healing rates, factors that contribute to delayed wound healing, cost-effectiveness, and incidence of allergic reactions when resin salve is used to treat complicated surgical wounds.