The treatment of decubitus ulcers with dextranomer

Twenty-five patients with 35 bedsores were treated with dextranomer (Debrisan; Adcock Ingram) applied topically to the ulcers. Fourteen patients had ulcers which penetrated fascia, muscle and bone, 4 had superficial ulcers and 2 had discharging sinuses. Most of the severe ulcers healed rapidly and were cleansed and ready for surgery at an average of 14.6 days. The superficial ulcers were completely healed within 3 weeks. Treatment of the sinuses with dextranomer using a catheter/syringe technique resulted in wound closure within 28 days. In a representative sample of 12 patients in whom the surface area of the ulcers was measured by means of a planimeter, there was a median reduction in surface area of 44.8% by the 2nd week (P=0,0002) and 79% (P=0,001) at the end of the 4th week. The median percentage reduction in depth was 66.7% (P=0,008) at the end of the 4th week.