A Randomised Control Trial To Compare The Desloughing Effect Of Hydrogel Versus Normal Saline Dressing In Leg Ulcers

Abstract

Background and objectives Numerous topical medication and gels are promoted for ulcer care debridement and healing. Relatively few have proved to be more efficacious than saline wet to dry dressings. The present study was aimed to compare the desloughing effect of hydrogel and normal saline dressing in healing of leg ulcers. Methodology The present one year hospital based randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belgaum from January 2012 to December 2012. A total of 60 patients with leg ulcers were studied. Based on the envelop method, patients were divided into two groups of 30 patients each that is group A (hydrogel) and group B (normal saline). Results In this males (76.66% in group A and 86.66% in group B) outnumbered females in both the groups (p=0.317). The mean age in group A was 55.73 ± 9.40 years and in group B it was 54.66 ± 12.73 years (p=0.713). In the course of the study with the hydrogel the proportion of the wound area covered with slough fell from 32.1 ± 13.13% to 11.54 ± 9.9 %, with higher mean percentage reduction in slough (68.86 ± 14 %) whereas in saline group the proportion of the wound area covered with slough fell from 34 ± 13.76 % to 17.1± 11.48 %, with less mean percentage reduction in slough (54.3 ± 13.02%).The difference between the percentage reduction in slough was statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion and interpretation Overall, hydrogel dressing provided favorable outcome in patients with leg ulcer by significant reduction in slough area when compared to normal saline dressing.