Healing Fragile Skin with Gelling Foam Technology*

Statement of Clinical Problem

Healing fragile skin without causing further damage can be a clinical challenge. Gelling foam technology offers both a gentle adhesive as well as a nonadhesive solution.

Description of Past Management
The first of four patients used gauze and paper tape to protect a recently healed area on the leg. A full thickness wound developed upon tape removal. The following two patients had skin tears to the legs. Both were using antibiotic ointment and gauze daily. The final patient treated her leg wound with silver sulfadiazine dressings and gauze.

Current Clinical Approach
Each of the patients had mixed venous/arterial lower extremity disease. The tape injured patient was managed with a gelling foam dressing* and compression. A 100% sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) dressing** with ionic silver was added due to green tinged drainage. The other three patients were managed with the same dressings. Each had the 100 % NaCMC dressing with ionic silver added at least once, due to the color of the exudate. Three were treated with compression consisting of a zinc impregnated gauze and an adhesive wrap. The final patient was treated with a light compression sleeve.

Patient Outcomes
The tape injured patient healed with four dressing changes. High compression was trialed, but he preferred lesser compression. The second patient also healed with four dressing changes. The third patient healed with only two changes. The final patient healed with four dressing changes.

Conclusions
All patients remarked how comfortable their legs felt with the new treatment regimen. Each was pleased there was minimal discomfort during dressing removal. They also expressed relief that they did not have to have daily dressing changes.

Product Notations:
*Versiva^® XC™ dressing

**AQUACEL^® Ag dressing

Versiva and AQUACEL are registered trademarks of ConvaTec Inc. 

XC is a trademark of ConvaTec Inc.

SC-000019-US