Therapeutic behavior of a hydrocolloid dressing. Its evolution in the treatment of acute and chronic dermal ulcers

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the behavior of a Sureskin II hydrocolloid dressing in the treatment of acute and chronic dermal ulcers in daily clinical practice. METHODS: By means of an observational, multi-centric, prospective, open study of a series of clinical cases on patients afflicted by acute and chronic ulcers. This study lasted through 20 dressing changes or until the ulcer was cured. During the initial visit, the characteristics of the lesion were evaluated; in continuation, the evolution of a lesion as dressings were changed was evaluated; and during the final visit, the professional team evaluated the final traits of the lesion along with the overall behavior of the dressing applied. RESULTS: This study evaluated 1080 patients whose average age was 72.3 years. At the conclusion of this study the investigators noticed that the size of these ulcers had significantly reduced from the start to the end of treatment. Epithelization increased from 43.2 to 71.9%. 98.3% of patients in this study considered this dressing brand easy to apply Seepage of exudation diminished from 31.77 to 14.6%. The presence of maceration, erythema and eczema also reduced from 29.2 to 12.5%, from 37.6 to 13.1% and from 9.7 to 6.3% respectively. The symptoms of infection or inflammation dropped from 22.6 to 7.6%. Patients' complaints of pain when their dressings were changed dropped 29.4%. 90.7% of these patients stated this treatment alleviated their symptoms and allowed them to carry on their daily activities in a normal fashion. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that the use of Sureskin II is effective, therefore making it a first choice therapeutic option for treating patients suffering from acute and chronic dermal ulcers.