Influence of superabsorbent dressings on non-healing ulcers: a multicentre case series from the Netherlands and the UK.
OBJECTIVE
To record and assess the application and the progression of wound healing in patients who received Sorbion sachet S or Sorbion Sana wound dressings.


METHODS
A convenience sample of patients with chronic wounds was recruited from nursing homes or community wound clinics in the Netherlands and the UK. Wound surface area measurements, pain assessment using a visual analogue scale score, patient affect (mood) and social interaction were recorded using a specifically designed evaluation template.


RESULTS
Pressure ulcer (PU) (n=11) and leg ulcer (LU) (n=20) patients had a mean age of 64.6 years and 71.7 years, respectively. Mean PU surface area decreased from 15.27 cm² in week 0 to 7.63 cm² in week 8, while mean LU surface area decreased from 19.43 cm² in week 0 to 7.19 cm² in week 8. Mean PU pain decreased from 3.69 in week 0 to 0.67 in week 8, while pain at dressing change decreased from 3.23 in week 0 to 0.75 in week 8. Furthermore, mean LU pain decreased from 3.45 in week 0 to 1.90 in week 8, and pain at dressing change decreased from 3.4 in week 0 to 1.3 in week 8. The number of patients experiencing a negative influence of the PU on affect reduced from 6 in week 0 to 2 in week 8 and on social interaction from 6 in week 0 to 2 in week 8. The number of patients experiencing a negative influence of their LU on affect reduced from 7 in week 0 to zero in week 8 and on social interaction from 7 in week 0 to 2 in week 8.


CONCLUSIONS
This case series records the response of patients' chronic wounds in terms of wound progress, patient pain and additional psycho-social factors following the application of the superabsorbent dressings and indicates that the dressings have a positive role to play in creating an environment conductive to the promotion of healing in LUs and PUs.
Avoord Zorg en Wonen, Etten-Leur, the Netherlands.
M
M
van Leen
A
A
Rondas
J
J
Neyens
K
K
Cutting
J M G A
JM
Schols
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001458:Bandages; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D059408:Pain Management; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000628:therapy*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014945:Wound Healing
absorbent dressing; leg ulcer; pain; pressure ulcer; wound-healing