[Healing of venous leg ulcers. A randomized prospective study of a long-stretch versus short-stretch compression bandage].

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of two types of compression bandage with different degrees of elasticity on healing of venous leg ulcers. Forty-three patients with venous leg ulcers were included and blindly randomized to treatment with one of the two types of bandage aiming at a sub-bandage pressure in the ankle area of 40 mmHg. Forty legs were evaluated. Healed ulcers after 12 months were observed in 71% of the long-stretch group and in 30% of the short-stretch group (p = 0.06). Using life-table analysis the predicted healing rate in the long-stretch group after 12 months was 81% and for the short-stretch group 31% (p = 0.03). The mean of relative ulcer areas at 12 months was 0.25 for the long-stretch group and 0.95 for the short-stretch group (p = 0.01). The present study appears to indicate a positive influence of the elasticity of a compression bandage applied with a sub-bandage pressure around 40 mmHg in the ankle area on venous ulcer healing.

• Authors: L Danielsen, S M Madsen, L Henriksen
• Journal: Ugeskrift for laeger (Ugeskr Laeger) Vol. 161 Issue 44 Pg. 6042-5 (Nov 1 1999) ISSN: 0041-5782 [Print] DENMARK
• Vernacular Title: Heling af venøse bensår. En randomiseret prospektiv undersøgelse af en langstraek- versus en kortstraek-kompressionsbandage.
• PMID: 10778338 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, English Abstract, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Bandages
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies
• Time Factors
• Varicose Ulcer (physiopathology, therapy)
• Wound Healing