[Dressings for local treatment of leg ulcers]

The beneficial effect of a moist wound environment has been well established for healing rate of acute wounds, pain relief and debridement of chronic wounds. Modern dressings are occlusive or semi occlusive, classified according to their physical composition and to their performances such as absorbent capacity, hydrating ability, adhesive components and debridement capacity. They are used to control the exudates and to maintain the wound in a moist environment. Published systematic reviews of the value of different types of dressings in the management of chronic wounds provide only weak levels of evidence of their clinical efficacy, in terms of healing rate. Nevertheless, the indications of modern dressings were recently determined according to a systematic review of the literature and to a formal consensus process. Despite the lack of appropriate studies, modern dressings remains a part of the standard of care and are widely used according to the experience of the clinicians, in larger indications than what may be recommended by evidence-based medicine.