Comparison of two occlusive bandages in the treatment of venous leg ulcers

Abstract

A randomized controlled study was performed in 34 patients with venous leg ulcers. No difference was found in the healing rate between a new hydrocolloid dressing plus compression, and a double layer bandage, consisting of an inner paste bandage (i.e. a stocking impregnated with zinc oxide paste) and an outer elastic bandage. The parameters chosen for objective evaluation were stereophotogrammetric measurement of ulcer area and volume, and bacterial counts.

Management of venous leg ulcers: Clinical practice guidelines of the Society for Vascular Surgery® and the American Venous Forum

“…In two trials, the number of participants was small (n ¼ 27 and 34) and showed no difference between treatment groups. 279,294,295 However, a large RCT with 245 patients demonstrated improved healing at 24 weeks (67% vs 49%; P ¼ .009) in the multilayer (4LB) bandage group compared with the single-layer group. 296 In addition, 4LB were associated with faster wound closure (78 vs 168 days; P ¼ .001) compared with the single-layer group.…”

Current Approaches to Venous Ulcers and Compression

“…Four studies have been performed comparing occlusive dressings plus compression versus compression alone in venous ulcer treatment. None of the studies demonstrated any treatment‐dependent difference in the number of patients who healed by the end of 12 weeks 32–35 . In one study, however, there was an increased rate of venous ulcer healing over the first 4 weeks in patients treated with occlusive dressings plus compression 35 …”

Compression in Venous Ulcer Management

“…16,17 Future research is needed to understand which patients benefit most from each modality and what levels of elasticity and extensibility are ideal for which conditions, eg, ambulatory versus sedentary patients. However 2 RCTs show that for some patients or usage parameters, healing outcomes can be similar.…”

“…17,18 Further research is needed to determine whether there are interactive effects of primary wound dressing and compression modality. Two small RCTs, one outside an earlier meta-analysis drawing this conclusion, found no significant difference in healing of multilayer versus single-layer compression bandages when the primary wound dressing beneath the single layer was a hydrocolloid dressing.…”