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Introduction:

The removal of exudate as well as deactivation of exudate components or modulation of the cells to withstand exudate toxicity should be focused on, when supporting wound healing. For this purpose collagen is shown to be beneficial. This study evaluates and compares the effect on microcirculation in leg ulcers when applying a foam* dressing, collagen* and paraffin* gauze. The assumption is that in human dermal repair, microcirculation and angiogenesis is more stimulated when moist wound healing dressings are applied compared to paraffin gauze.

Methods:

The pilot study looked at granulating leg ulcers characterised by a low tcPO2. Patients were assigned to the different groups using randomization (group 1, N = 5, foam, group 2, N= 5 collagen and foam as secondary dressing, group 3, control group, N = 5, paraffin gauze). Angiogenesis was assessed by means of video capillaroscopy. The number of capillaries in the ulcer bed and tcPO2 in the peri-wound skin were assessed every week for a period of four weeks. For compression therapy a short stretch bandage system* was used.

Results:

In Group 1 and 2 an increase of both, tcPO2 and number of capillaries was observed. The increase of these two parameters was bigger and faster in Group 1 and 2 than in Group 3, as shown in figure 1.

Conclusions:

In this pilot study the results suggest moist wound healing conditions to stimulate angiogenesis and microcirculation. The study approach may help to evaluate and compare the evolution of wound healing, applying different types of dressings.