title: Treatment of pressure sores in spina bifida patients with calcium alginate and foam dressings.
abstract: METHODS
  Prospective study on local treatment of pressure sores using calcium alginate and foam dressings in spina bifida patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Investigate if this sequential approach is valid and safe for selected patients with neurological impairments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using European Pressure Ulcer Grading System, after clinical evaluation of local sore, selected patients of Spina Bifida Center of Rome were treated with sequential calcium alginate and foam dressings for 12 weeks. Pressure ulcere surfaces were measured monthly by ulcer tracing. The endpoints were the mean absolute areas surface reduction during every month and number of patients achieving a 50% or more during study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  14 patients (7 males aged 12-24 years) with spina bifida and pressure sores were treated. Mean and standard deviation of mean surface area reduction were 12.5 ± 7.5 cm 2 at start of the study versus 3.7 ± 5.2 cm 2 after 12 weeks, p < 0.001. 75% of the patients reached mean surface area reduction of 50% during trial. Dressing tolerance was good in every patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Calcium alginate and foam dressings are valid and safe approach in the treatment of pressure sores in selected patients with spina bifida. In fact, they protect the wound and create an environment favorable to healing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Science and Department of Plastic Surgery, School of Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. emanuele.ausili@tin.it  
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ausili
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Paolucci
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Triarico
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maestrini
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Murolo
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Focarelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rendeli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000464:Alginates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001458:Bandages; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism; D014945:Wound Healing; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020723:Glucuronic Acid