[Treatment of chronic skin ulcers in the elderly. Descriptive study on the use of a hydrocellular dressing].

INTRODUCTION

There are a wide variety of products to use to treat skin ulcers. Knowing the correct usage and application of each product aids in choosing the most appropriate for elderly patients.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the use of a hydrocellular dressing and its clinical test results.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This descriptive, prospective study begun on 6/X/97 and finished on 1/XII/97 included all the moderate or severely oozing skin ulcers, those classified as stage II, III, or IV, among the elderly at a home for them. This study discarded ulcers which barely bled; however, regional or systemic infection-related ulcers were included.

RESULTS

20 skin ulcers were analyzed. At the start, these covered an average surface are of 11.76 cm2 (DT 14.44), with an average severity index of 23.79 (DT 35.81). At the end of this study, the average area was 7.92 cm2 (DT 12.11) and the average severity index was 14,60 (DT 27,18). 7 ulcers, or 35%, had epithelized completely. During the 768 day length of this study, 290 dressings were applied. 100% of these were evaluated as easy to apply and remove; patients indicated an absence of pain; no dressing was disjoined when changed and therefore left no residue in the injured area.

CONCLUSIONS

The dressing studied is effective for local treatment of all types of skin ulcers, regardless of their condition; this dressing reduces the number of changes necessary, especially in curing oozing ulcers; and finally, this dressing is easy to apply and aids in keeping the patient in good spirits.