Evaluation of SurePress Comfort: a new compression system for the management of venous leg ulcers.
OBJECTIVE
The primary aim was to compare the healing of venous leg ulcers after management with either a new compression stocking (SurePress Comfort, ConvaTec) or a standard short-stretch bandage system (Comprilan, BSN Medical GmbH & Co). Secondary parameters included healing rate, ease of application and removal, comfort during wear, local pain levels and concordance.


METHODS
This was a prospective multicentre open-label comparative randomised controlled parallel-group pilot trial of 12 weeks' duration.


RESULTS
The proportion of ulcers that healed in 12 weeks (44.4% versus 17.2%, p=0.027) and the average time to healing (72 +/- 5 days versus 101 +/- 7 days, p=0.0265) were significantly better with SurePress Comfort than the comparator. All the secondary parameters (except concordance) also showed statistically significant differences for the stocking over the comparator.


CONCLUSIONS
SurePress Comfort stocking system is more effective than a standard short-stretch compression bandage in healing venous leg ulcers and in reducing associated pain. It is well accepted by patients due to its ease of use and comfort, and its safety profile is comparable to that of a standard compression system. It may therefore provide an effective solution for the delivery of graduated compression and has the potential to improve concordance, compared with short- stretch bandages.


BACKGROUND
This study was sponsored by ConvaTec.
Polignano
R
R
IOT Hospital Cardiovascular Rehabilitation, Florence, Italy. polignan@data.il
Guarnera
G
G
Bonadeo
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001458:Bandages / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017592:Skin Care / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000451:nursing; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing