Controlled trial of occlusive dressings in healing chronic venous ulcers

Fifty-six patients with chronic venous ulcers present for a mean of 2.4 years were randomized to either a new occlusive hydrocolloid dressing (Granuflex, Squibb Surgicare) or a porous non-adherent dressing (N A, Johnson and Johnson). In all patients, dressings were applied beneath a standard graduated compression bandage. There was no difference between the two groups, with complete healing in 21 out of 28 (75 per cent) of occlusive dressing patients and 22 out of 28 (78 per cent) with N A dressings by 12 weeks. Careful graduated compression bandaging achieves healing even in the majority of so-called resistant chronic venous ulcers; there was no additional benefit from applying occlusive dressings which tend to be expensive.