A randomized trial of two occlusive dressings in the treatment of leg ulcers.
Two occlusive dressings--one zinc oxide medicated (Mezinc) and one hydrocolloid (Duoderm)--were compared in a prospective, randomized trial over a period of 8 weeks to determine their healing ability and effect on pain for venous and arterial leg ulcers. All patients were patch-tested before the study and colophony allergy was an exclusion criterion. Of the 43 outpatients included, 31 completed the trial and 6 patients randomized to each treatment group were withdrawn. The initial ulcer areas decreased after 8 weeks of treatment with Mezinc by 64% and by 48% after treatment with Duoderm. Ulcer pain was relieved in 50% of the patients--with a similar analgesic effect for the two dressings. Mezinc treatment was discontinued in 2 cases due to sensitization to colophony (one ingredient of Mezinc) which indicated a risk of contact allergy to colophony due to Mezinc treatment. 1103 consecutive eczema patients were patch-tested on the back with Mezinc and colophony 20% in petrolatum simultaneously. It was found that 42 (4%) of the patients showed allergic skin reactions to colophony and 19 (2%) to Mezinc. Both dressings were well tolerated by leg ulcer patients and there appeared to be no major differences in the efficacy of the two occlusive dressings.
Brandrup
F
F
Department of Dermatology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.
Menné
T
T
Agren
M S
MS
Strömberg
H E
HE
Holst
R
R
Frisén
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D047070:Bandages, Hydrocolloid; D003102:Colloids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D059408:Pain Management; D010328:Patch Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects; D015032:Zinc / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D003102:Colloids; D015032:Zinc; D015034:Zinc Oxide