Evaluation of the effectiveness of new polyurethane foam dressings in the treatment of heavily exudative venous ulcers

Abstract

Background. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of polyurethane dressings in the treatment of venous ulcers and the assessment of wound pain.
Material and methods. The study was conducted in 2005 in the Venous Ulcers Outpatient Clinic of the Chair and the Clinic of Surgery of Biziel Hospital in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Twenty patients with venous ulcers participated in the study; all of them had indications for foam dressing use. Depending on wound state and periwound skin, polyurethane dressing Biatain adhesive (14 patients) or non-adhesive (6 patients) was used. During the dressing changes, hydrotherapy and mechanical debridement were used. Two-layer compression therapy was also used. Results. Initial mean surface area of ulcers was 18.55 cm². Large ulcers (> 20 cm²) were characterized by a seven times longer duration than smaller ulcers (< 10 cm²) (5.7 months vs. 39.5 months). Statistically significant changes of surface area during six weeks of treatment were observed (p < 0.05). All patients complained of significant pain. Pain intensity was lower during the treatment time.
Conclusions. Polyurethane foam dressings have a high absorption potential; they influence the treatment of heavily exudative ulcers in a positive way, improve healing progress and reduce surface area.