Controlled, randomized clinical trial of 2 hydrocolloid dressings in the management of venous insufficiency ulcers.

A prospective, randomized study was conducted to compare the performance of 2 hydrocolloid dressings, hydrocolloid A and hydrocolloid B, in the treatment of venous insufficiency ulcers. A total of 31 patients were enrolled at 2 clinical sites. Complete wound closure (100% epithelialization) was observed in 59% of the patients treated with hydrocolloid A, compared with complete wound closure in 15% of the patients in the hydrocolloid B group (P View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Home care for venous leg ulcers.

More than a quarter of the adult population in the United States is afflicted with lower extremity venous insufficiency, and 1 in 100 have had, or now have, stasis ulcers. Most of these patients will be treated on an outpatient basis, with many of them requiring home health care. The cost to treat venous ulcers alone has been estimated at $750 million to $1 billion a year.

Reperfusion injury.

Reperfusion injury occurs after flow is restored to an ischemic area in an effort to salvage limbs and prevent amputation. Skeletal muscle damage occurs during ischemia as well as during reperfusion. Literature review supports the theory that reperfusion of the ischemic area may cause a chain of events that results in irreversible necrosis.