[Healing of venous leg ulcers. A randomized prospective study of a long-stretch versus short-stretch compression bandage].
The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of two types of compression bandage with different degrees of elasticity on healing of venous leg ulcers. Forty-three patients with venous leg ulcers were included and blindly randomized to treatment with one of the two types of bandage aiming at a sub-bandage pressure in the ankle area of 40 mmHg. Forty legs were evaluated. Healed ulcers after 12 months were observed in 71% of the long-stretch group and in 30% of the short-stretch group (p = 0.06). Using life-table analysis the predicted healing rate in the long-stretch group after 12 months was 81% and for the short-stretch group 31% (p = 0.03). The mean of relative ulcer areas at 12 months was 0.25 for the long-stretch group and 0.95 for the short-stretch group (p = 0.01). The present study appears to indicate a positive influence of the elasticity of a compression bandage applied with a sub-bandage pressure around 40 mmHg in the ankle area on venous ulcer healing.
Danielsen
L
L
Dermato-venerologisk afdeling, H:S Bispebjerg Hospital.
Madsen
S M
SM
Henriksen
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001458:Bandages; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing