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The new dressings (hydrocolloid dressings, polyurethane, sodium alginate,<br />

activated carbon and collagen dressings) have proved to be better than the classical<br />

saline gauze dressings in leg venous ulcers (263) though there are no adequate<br />

studies on diabetic foot ulcers.<br />

There is an ongoing RCT, which compares simple dressings to iodine-impregnated<br />

dressings and hydrofiber dressings in 350 diabetic patients with chronic<br />

foot ulcers (264).<br />

11.5.2. Debridement<br />

In neuroischemic ulcers, the guidelines recommend the elimination of the necrotic<br />

tissue (2<strong>46</strong>; 260). In the case of severe ischemia, debridement must be done very<br />

carefully as it is absolutely essential that the viable tissue remains undamaged<br />

(265).<br />

A Cochrane review (261) found five RCTs (amongst them three on hydrogels<br />

and one on surgical debridement). The RCT on surgical debridement was brief<br />

and its results were not conclusive. Hydrogels, used as debriding agents, are significantly<br />

more effective than gauze or standard care to heal diabetic foot ulcers.<br />

Other debridement methods, such as enzyme preparations or polysaccharide granules,<br />

have not been assessed on diabetic patients in an RCT.<br />

CPG<br />

4<br />

SR of RCT<br />

1+<br />

11.5.3. Off loading devices<br />

An SR (258) found that total contact weight-relieving splints were more effective<br />

to heal non-infected ulcers than traditional bandages [RR 2.87 (CI 95%:<br />

1.<strong>46</strong>-5.63) NNT 2], without any differences in the incidence of hospitalization.<br />

Total contact splints seem to be effective to treat plantar ulceration. These may<br />

not be fully tolerated. In order to be reliable, they must be carried out by trained<br />

experts, apart from requiring revisions and frequent changes, thus limiting their<br />

usefulness. In the SR, no studies were found on non-fixed splints.<br />

Afterwards, two RCTs were found which compared fixed splints to non-fixed<br />

or pads (266; 267); fixed splints were more effective. Another trial (268) found<br />

no differences between total contact splints and non-fixed splints transformed into<br />

fixed splints by a fibreglass covering. In another trial, the weight-relieving splints<br />

covered with foam dressings were more effective than medium pads (269). Fixed<br />

splints are associated with a significant increase in infections which require the<br />

use of antibiotics and more maceration of the surrounding skin (266). Total contact<br />

splints are contraindicated in case of osteomielytis or infection.<br />

SR of RCT<br />

1+<br />

RCT<br />

1+<br />

106 CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES IN THE NHS

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