A new amorphous hydrocolloid for the treatment of pressure sores: a randomised controlled study

A randomised controlled study was carried out to compare the effect of a new amorphous hydrocolloid (hydrogel, Coloplast) with that of conventional treatment on the healing time of pressure sores. After initial debridement in the outpatient clinic of pressure sores located in the sacral (n = 21) or trochanteric (n = 11) area the patients were randomised to be treated with either hydrogel (n = 17) or wet saline compresses (n = 15). Once a week the healing was estimated by the same investigator. The relative volumes (from the initial 100%) of hydrogel-treated wounds were significantly less (26 +/- 20%, p < 0.02) than those of saline treated wounds (64 +/- 16%) in the last week of the study. The saline treated wounds needed more frequent weekly debridement than the hydrogel-treated wounds (21% compared with 7% of all weekly dressings, p < 0.03). We conclude that amorphous hydrocolloid increases current healing of pressure sores compared with conventional treatment. It is therefore a better choice for treating patients with pressure sores in their homes.