title: Evaluating the effectiveness of the customized Unna boot when treating patients with venous ulcers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lower limb ulcers are a serious medical and socioeconomic problem throughout the world. One type of chronic wound of the lower extremities is the venous ulcer. Therapeutic methods for treating venous ulcer include the use of the Unna boot.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of the customized Unna boot in the treatment of venous ulcers and to monitor the subsequent development and healing of the lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective exploratory and quantitative longitudinal study, conducted at the "Outpatients Department (Wound Care) of the Grupo da Fraternidade Espírita Irmão Alexandre" in the city of Pouso Alegre (MG), Brazil, in 2008. The sample consisted of 32 patients with venous ulcers who underwent treatment with the Unna boot and 11 patients (control group), who used a simple bandage application. The patients'lesions were monitored over a three month period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average age of the predominently female (65.1%) patients was 61.88. From observing the differences in healing times at the three evaluation stages, it was clear that after the initial evaluation the wound area decreased in Groups 1 and 2 (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of the customized Unna boot contributes to quicker healing. However, over a period of three months the simple bandage applications were seen to be just as effective as the Unna boot method.
authors.affiliation: Vale do Sapuca University(UNIVAS), Pouso Alegre, MG, Brazil. brunaluz04@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Bruna Suelen Raymundo
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Luz
authors.forename: Cristina Souza
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Araujo
authors.forename: Dênia Amélia Novato Castelli Von
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Atzingen
authors.forename: Adriana Rodrigues dos Anjos
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Mendonça
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mesquita Filho
authors.forename: Mauricéia Lins de
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Medeiros
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D058128:Compression Bandages / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000451:nursing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000451:nursing*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
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