Related Experiment Videos
Compression for venous leg ulcers
N Cullum1, E A Nelson, A W Fletcher
1Centre for Evidence Based Nursing, Department of Health Studies, University of York, Genesis 6, York, UK, YO10 5DQ. nac2@york.ac.uk
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|July 25, 2000
Summary
Compression therapy significantly improves venous leg ulcer healing. Multi-layered compression systems are more effective than single-layer options, with high compression showing better results than low compression.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Dermatology
- Wound Care
Background:
- Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are chronic wounds often treated with compression therapy.
- Assessing the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different compression modalities is crucial for optimal patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of compression bandaging and stockings for treating venous leg ulcers.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of 19 databases, journals, conference proceedings, and bibliographies.
- Inclusion of trials on compression bandaging or stockings for VLUs, with ulcer healing as the primary endpoint.
- Independent verification of data extraction by two reviewers.
Main Results:
- Compression therapy demonstrated higher healing rates compared to no compression.
- Multi-layered compression systems were more effective than single-layer systems.
- High compression was superior to low compression, but no significant differences were found between various high-compression multi-layered systems.
Conclusions:
- Compression therapy is effective in promoting venous leg ulcer healing.
- Multi-layered and high-compression systems offer superior outcomes compared to single-layer and low-compression methods, respectively.
- Further research is needed to determine the cost-effectiveness of different compression regimens.