[Prevention of vascular ulcers and diabetic foot. Non-randomized open clinical evaluation on the effectiveness of "Mepentol Leche"].
BACKGROUND
Vascular ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers present a health serious problem which affects a large number of patients, creating a major challenge for health professionals. Hyper-oxygenated fatty acid dressings have proven to be effective thanks to their favorable action on the skin in three ways: increasing the microcirculation of the blood, promoting the renovation of the epidermic cells, and notably increasing cutaneous hydration.


OBJECTIVE
Evaluate the effectiveness of Mepentol Leche, an emulsion based on Hyper-oxygenated fatty acids, Aloe barbadensis and Mimosa tenuiflora, used to treat the skin and alleviate symptoms in patients who suffer from vascular ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers.


METHODS
Clinical evaluation carried out between June 2004 and December 2005. 195 patients were studied. The parameters for inclusion in this study were 32.82% for venous pathology 35.90% for skin care, 26.67% due to arterial pathology, and 4.62% for a lymphatic pathology. These patients were evaluated over a one month period and each had a follow-up by means of a data collection file. The guideline to apply this product was twice a day and always over integral skin. The effectiveness of this product has been established based on these epigraphs: symptoms of itching, smarting and pain, and skin conditions: color, dryness, edema, maceration, rashes, and desquamation.


RESULTS
Not one patient developed new lesions in healthy skin protected by Mepentol Leche. Symptoms linked to this pathology saw improvements in these percents: itching 96%, smarting 93%, and pain 96%, and skin conditions: color 100%, edema 90%, maceration 96%, rashes 92%, and desquamation 100%. Health professionals' evaluation of this product has been highly favorable in regards to ease of use, tolerance, absorption, and ease of application.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed the benefits in applying this product systematically to alleviate the symptoms prior to the appearance of ulcers, thus avoiding skin dryness and reducing itching, smarting, pain and eczema while returning normal color to the skin.
Puentes Sánchez
José
J
Enfermería de Cirugía Vascular, Hospital Torrecádenas, Almería.
Pardo González
Carmen M
CM
Pardo González
M Belén
MB
Navarro Casado
Félix J
FJ
Puentes Sánchez
Román
R
Méndez González
Juan Miguel
JM
González Rojo
Josefa
J
Juárez Morales
Antonia
A
López Fernández
Isabel M
IM
D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000150:complications
D005227:Fatty Acids; C479536:Mepentol; D010936:Plant Extracts