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Acemannan hydrogel dressing versus saline dressing for pressure ulcers. A randomized, controlled trial
D R Thomas1, P S Goode, K LaMaster
1Department of Internal Medicine, St. Louis University, MO, USA.
Advances in Wound Care : the Journal for Prevention and Healing
|May 18, 1999
Summary
This study found that acemannan hydrogel wound dressings are as effective as moist saline gauze for healing pressure ulcers. Both treatments showed similar healing rates over a 10-week period.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Dermatology
- Wound Care
Background:
- Aloe vera has a long history of topical use for various conditions.
- An FDA-approved amorphous hydrogel dressing derived from aloe (acemannan hydrogel) is used for pressure ulcer management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of acemannan hydrogel wound dressing compared to moist saline gauze for pressure ulcer treatment.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 30 patients with pressure ulcers.
- Patients received daily topical application of either acemannan hydrogel dressing or moist saline gauze.
- Healing was assessed over a 10-week observation period.
Main Results:
- Complete healing occurred in 19 out of 30 subjects (63%) within 10 weeks.
- No statistically significant difference in complete healing rates was observed between the acemannan hydrogel group and the saline gauze control group (odds ratio 0.93).
Conclusions:
- Acemannan hydrogel wound dressing demonstrates comparable effectiveness to moist saline gauze for pressure ulcer management.
- The study indicates no superiority of acemannan hydrogel over standard moist saline gauze in healing pressure ulcers.