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This article reports an observational evaluation of 19 patients with highly exuding wounds. Flivasorb was used as a super absorbent dressing that could remove the harmful exudate fluid and promote a healthy wound bed. The outcomes demonstrated that Flivasorb is successfully absorbs large amounts of fluid, reduces the number of dressing changes required and therefore, reduces the cost of the patient's care.

Polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) has been available as a wound irrigation fluid in Europe for some time. Recently, it has been successfully introduced into wound management within a range of dressings, including non-adherent products, gauze, drains, intravenous sponges and hydrogels. In some cases, the PHMB molecule has been chemically bound to the base material, providing it with antiseptic/antimicrobial properties when in contact with wound moisture. In other products, the active component is free to be delivered into the wound and periwound tissues, serving as a carrier for a wider antimicrobial activity by donating PHMB to the wound surfa

BACKGROUND

It is widely believed that the loss of compression pressure of inelastic bandages is associated with a loss of efficacy in contrast to elastic material, which maintains its pressure and performance. This study compared the effect exerted by inelastic bandages vs elastic compression stockings on the venous pumping function in patients with severe superficial venous insufficiency immediately after application and 1 week later.

METHODS

Ejection fraction (EF) of the calf pump was measured in 18 patients presenting with bilateral reflux in the great saphenous vein (CEAP C(3)-C(5)) without any compression and immediately after application of an inelastic bandage on one leg and an elastic compression stocking on the other leg. Measurements were repeated 1 week later, before compression removal. EF was measured using a plethysmographic technique. The changes of interface pressure of the applied compression products were recorded simultaneously with EF measurements.

RESULTS

After application, bandages and stockings achieved a significant improvement of EF (P < .001) that was much more pronounced in the bandaged legs. The median resting pressure was 45 mm Hg (interquartile range, 41-48.5 mm Hg) under the stockings and 64.5 mm Hg (interquartile range, 51-80 mm Hg) under the bandages. After 1 week, EF was still significantly improved in the bandaged leg (P < .001), but not under the stockings. At this time, the pressure under the stockings was only slightly reduced (5.9% supine, 3.6% standing), but the mean pressure loss under the bandages was much higher (54.3% supine, 35.4% standing).

CONCLUSION

The findings supporting inelastic compression are important in explaining the benefits of its use in chronic venous insufficiency. Inelastic bandages maintain their superior efficacy on the venous pumping function after a wearing time of 1 week, despite a significant loss of pressure.