Use of New Foam Dressing Technology with Unique Exudate Channels* (UEC) Under Compression to Handle Thick, Viscous Exudate

Problem: Patients present with lower extremity venous insufficiency and ulcerations complicated by surrounding edema and thick viscous exudate. Initially, compression wraps were used to control the edema; however, no advanced wound care dressings prevented the thick exudate from macerating the parawound skin. Will new technology of soft silicone foam with Unique Exudate Channels* (UEC) assist with the transference of thick viscous exudate away from the skin, thereby allowing venous leg ulcers to heal?

Methods: 4 patients were selected to use this new technology. 3 of the 4 patients were seen in an outpatient Resident Clinic. The 4^thpatient was seen in a Homecare setting. All patients had venous insufficiency with ulcerations and thick viscous exudate. The lower extremities were cleansed with mild soap and water. Honey Calcium Alginate was applied to one ulceration with depth greater than 0.5 cm. Foam dressing with UEC* was placed over the ulcerated skin with compression wraps consisting of zinc-impregnated gauze, roll gauze and short stretch self-adhering bandage roll applied from toes to knee. Patients were seen 1-2 times per week for dressing changes.

Results:All 4 patients benefitted from the use of this new technology. Each patient had troublesome viscous drainage managed by the use of the new foam dressing technology with UEC* allowing the parawound skin to remain intact. Two morbidly obese patients with 3+ edema used the dressings for 3 weeks at which time they were placed back into traditional compression wraps due to diminished, thin exudate. It was noted that the thick viscous drainage was effectively transferred to the outer dressings and all the patients continue to heal with a decrease in ulceration size.