Care of pressure sores: a controlled study of the use of a hydrocolloid dressing compared with wet saline gauze compresses.
An occlusive hydrocolloid dressing (Comfeel Ulcus) was compared with a conventional wet saline gauze dressing regarding the effect on ulcer cleansing and healing processes, experience of pain and the consumption of nursing time, in a controlled, randomized and partially single-blind study with parallel groups of long-stay patients with pressure sores. After a few weeks' treatment the relative decrease in ulcer areas with time was larger in the group treated with the hydrocolloid dressing. The difference was almost statistically significant at week 5 (p = 0.054) and definite at week 6 (p = 0.006). At week 6 the median remaining ulcer area in per cent of the initial area was 0% in the hydrocolloid dressing group and 31% in the group treated with saline gauze (p = 0.016). Analysis of the healing distribution function showed the hydrocolloid dressing to be more effective, although the overall difference was non-significant (p = 0.15). Care of the pressure sore took significantly less time with hydrocolloid dressings.
Alm
A
A
Stureby Hospital, Enskede, Sweden.
Hornmark
A M
AM
Fall
P A
PA
Linder
L
L
Bergstrand
B
B
Ehrnebo
M
M
Madsen
S M
SM
Setterberg
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001458:Bandages; D047070:Bandages, Hydrocolloid; D003102:Colloids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D011897:Random Allocation; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000628:therapy*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing
D003102:Colloids; D012965:Sodium Chloride