Ease of application of medical compression-stocking systems for the treatment of venous ulcers.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the ease of application of two-piece, graduated, compression systems for the treatment of venous ulcers.

METHODS:

Four kits used to provide limb compression in the management of venous ulcers were evaluated. These have been proven to be non-inferior to various types of bandages in clinical trials. The interface pressure exerted above the ankle by the under-stocking and the complete compression system and the force required to pull the over-stocking off were assessed in vitro. Ease of application of the four kits was evaluated in four sessions by five nurses who put stockings on their own legs in a blinded manner. They expressed their assessment of the stockings using a series of visual analogue scales (VASs).

RESULTS:

The Sigvaris Ulcer X((R)) kit provided a mean interface pressure of 46 mmHg and required a force in the range of 60-90 N to remove it. The Mediven ulcer kit exerted the same pressure but required force in the range of 150-190 N to remove it. Two kits (SurePress Comfort and VenoTrain Ulcertec) exerted a mean pressure of only 25 mmHg and needed a force in the range of 100-160 N to remove them. Nurses judged the Ulcer X and SurePress kits easiest to apply. Application of the VenoTrain kit was found slightly more difficult. The Mediven kit was judged to be difficult to use.

CONCLUSIONS:

Comparison of ease of application of compression-stocking kits in normal legs revealed marked differences between them. Only one system exerted a high pressure and was easy to apply. Direct comparison of these compression kits in leg-ulcer patients is required to assess whether our laboratory findings correlate with patient compliance and ulcer healing.

• Authors: T Willenberg, B Lun, F Amsler, I Baumgartner
• Journal: European journal of vascular and endovascular surgery : the official journal of the European Society for Vascular Surgery (Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg) Vol. 40 Issue 1 Pg. 129-33 (Jul 2010) ISSN: 1532-2165 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20347350 (Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2010 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Equipment Design
• Humans
• Materials Testing
• Patient Satisfaction
• Pressure
• Stockings, Compression
• Treatment Outcome
• Varicose Ulcer (therapy)