A clinical evaluation to assess discomfort and periwound maceration with the use of a new superabsorbent dressing* in venous leg ulcers under compression

Topic:  The gold standard of care for patients with venous stasis ulcers is compression therapy. Challenges in treatment often include patient discomfort, dressing absorption and periwound maceration.  An atraumatic silicone dressing is available to manage removal associated pain but absorption and maceration continue to cause problems. Some absorbent products yield wound fluid under pressure creating discomfort, physical damage and periwound maceration.

 Purpose:  Most venous ulcers were highly exudative and treated twice a week.  Discomfort and periwound maceration was the cause of this expensive and inconvenient visit frequency.

 Objective:  We evaluated a superabsorbent polymer containing product that has a unique wound contact layer, with funnel shaped microchannels with the wider mouth of the funnel shaped aperture facing the wound.

 Methodology: The new superabsorbent dressing* was applied to ten patients with venous stasis ulcers over a four week period. Each patient was evaluated once a week and assessed for periwound maceration, discomfort over the previous week and during dressing removal. Removal associated wound pain was monitored using a numeric scale. Periwound maceration was studied using the peri-ulcer skin assessment scale (PUSAS).  Sharp debridement was performed as needed, wounds were measured, photographed and compression wraps were applied. 

 Outcome:   The new superabsorbent dressing* was effective in the management of removal associated pain and periwound maceration. Of ten patients assessed over four weeks, there was no periwound maceration noted and no patient reported pain during dressing wear or removal.  The new superabsorbent dressing* did not adhere to the wound and the wound size reduction was significant.  The presence of superabsorbents with the unidirectional “funnel shaped” microchannels as the contact layer led to the clinical results observed. related to lack of pain during removal and lack of maceration.

*Optilock, Medline Industries, Inc. Mundelein, IL.

**Poster is sponsored and funded by Medline Industries, Inc. Mundelein, Illinois