Management of leg ulcers with hydrocolloid occlusive dressing

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Abstract
Patients (22) with 31 leg ulcers of various causes received local wound management consisting of the application of an adhesive hydrocolloid (HC) occlusive dressing (DuoDerm). Group 1 comprised 15 patients (11 outpatients) with 19 ulcers. Approximately 2/3 (12/19) of the ulcers healed when treated solely with the HC dressing; mean treatment time was 57 days. Group 2 comprised 7 hospitalized patients with at least 2 leg ulcers of similar size and distribution. The 20 ulcers in the 7 patients were treated with either mild topical antimicrobial wet dressings (Sweitzer''s 1:32 solution) or HC dressings, with each patient serving as his own "control." All 20 ulcers healed; the average time to healing was 44 days with HC dressing and 42 days with wet dressing management. Most of the patients reported convenience in management and substantial relief of pain with the use of HC dressings.