Wound Size Reduction (WSR)

Background: Venous leg ulcers (VLU) are slow healing wounds. They have a high recurrence rate and are associated with pain, infection, smell and exudate. 60% of VLU become chronic. The signs and symptoms of VLU are not only a burden on those who are affected by it but also on the health care system and society in general. With a prevalence of 1% in the general population, the prevalence rises to 3% in the over 80-age group. The cost of treatment and care for VLU is estimated to be 2 – 3% of overall health expenditure. Current therapeutic approaches are multifaceted and focus on improving wound healing and preventing recurrences. Those approaches include compression therapy, leg elevation, specific exercises for the foot/ ankle region, a protein rich diet/ nutrition plan and the use of advanced wound care dressings. Advanced wound dressings, especially super absorbent dressings are an important part of the wound care. Heavy wound exudate, if unabsorbed, may damage surrounding healthy skin and thus delay wound healing and contribute to maceration and excoriation regimen as VLU may deliver excessive amounts of exudate. Heavy wound exudate, if unabsorbed, may damage surrounding healthy skin and thus delay wound healing and contribute to maceration and excoriation. Therefore, it is important to use effective advanced wound dressings that are capable of managing wound exudate and with that promote wound healing. Currently the standard approches to managing exudate are the use of  polyurethane foam dressings or absorbent dressings like of  a cellulose and distinct layers of sodium-polyacrylate treatment. However, there is no evidence demonstrating whether there is adifference in wound size as an indicator of wound healing when comparing the application of a cellulose and distinct layers of sodium-polyacrylate treatment to a standard polyurethane foam with sodium-polyacrylate treatment in a randomised controlled trail.

Method : A randomized controlled trail with 140 participants in one wound care outpatient clinic is proposed.

Data analysis : Data will be analysed using SPSS version 23. Univariate and bivariate analysis will be conducted according to the data level and distribution.

Expected benefit : This research project is designed to compare two wound dressings in everyday care. Since the cost of leg ulcers to individuals, the economy, and society is high, the evaluation of wound care dressings that leads to a reduction of wound size and promote wound healing are important for the individuals affected, their families, society at large and the health care system.