3 layer paste bandages were more effective than 4 layer bandages for healing venous leg ulcers

Meyer FJ, McGuinness CL, Lagattolla NR, et al . Randomized clinical trial of three-layer paste and four-layer bandages for venous leg ulcers. Br J Surg 2003;90:934–40. [OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] Q Are 3 layer paste bandages as effective as 4 layer bandages for healing of venous leg ulcers? ### ![Graphic][5] Design: randomised controlled trial. ### ![Graphic][6] Allocation: {concealed}*. ### ![Graphic][7] Blinding: unblinded. ### ![Graphic][8] Follow up period: 1 year. ### ![Graphic][9] Setting: a hospital leg ulcer outpatient clinic in London, UK. ### ![Graphic][10] Patients: 133 patients (56% men) with venous leg ulcers. Exclusion criteria: arterial disease, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus, positive sickle cell test, HIV infection, ulcer area 100 cm2, known sensitivity to paste, or ulcer not of venous aetiology. ### ![Graphic][11] Interventions: 3 layer paste bandages (a Steripaste® hypoallergenic paste bandage, a Setopress® compression bandage, and a Tubigrip® bandage to hold everything in place) (n = 64) or 4 layer bandages (Velband® orthopaedic wool, a crepe bandage, an Elset® compression bandage, and a Coban® bandage to secure preceding layers) (n = 69). Fully trained ulcer clinic nurses applied the bandages. Patients were initially seen weekly in … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DThe%2BBritish%2Bjournal%2Bof%2Bsurgery%26rft.stitle%253DBr%2BJ%2BSurg%26rft.aulast%253DMeyer%26rft.auinit1%253DF.%2BJ.%26rft.volume%253D90%26rft.issue%253D8%26rft.spage%253D934%26rft.epage%253D940%26rft.atitle%253DRandomized%2Bclinical%2Btrial%2Bof%2Bthree-layer%2Bpaste%2Band%2Bfour-layer%2Bbandages%2Bfor%2Bvenous%2Bleg%2Bulcers.%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1002%252Fbjs.4173%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F12905544%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1002/bjs.4173&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=12905544&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febnurs%2F7%2F1%2F21.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000184864800006&link_type=ISI [5]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif [6]: /embed/inline-graphic-2.gif [7]: /embed/inline-graphic-3.gif [8]: /embed/inline-graphic-4.gif [9]: /embed/inline-graphic-5.gif [10]: /embed/inline-graphic-6.gif [11]: /embed/inline-graphic-7.gif