Use of Allevyn heel in the management of heel ulcers.

OBJECTIVE

This small uncontrolled study examined the effectiveness of Allevyn Heel.

METHOD

Twenty-two patients were recruited: 13 with heel pressure ulcers, four with diabetic heel ulcers, four with arterial heel ulcers and one 'other'. Ulcers were assessed before treatment and after the start of the dressing regimen at weeks two and four and at the end of the study.

RESULTS

Patients were treated with Allevyn Heel for a mean of 47.2 days, and dressings were left in place for an average of 2.2 days before being changed. By the end of treatment, 32% of the ulcers had completely or almost healed, and a further 27% were showing evidence of granulation. Application was considered easy in 98% of instances, and 91% of the patients reported that Allevyn Heel was comfortable to wear.

CONCLUSION

Allevyn Heel was found to be effective and easy to use. This extends the range of wounds that are suitable for management with Allevyn, although a larger-scale study is needed to confirm the utility of Allevyn Heel for these type of heel wounds.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

This study was supported by Smith and Nephew, Germany.