Silver oxide ointment wound dressing in venous ulcerations: home, self-management.

Venous ulcers are a common, chronic medical and social problem. These ulcers are difficult to heal in most patients with sustained venous hypertension. This pilot product evaluation registry study has evaluated the efficacy and safety of an antimicrobial silver oxide wound dressing ointment ("Silver Oxide Ointment") as part of the treatment of 'difficult' venous ulcerations. The study was conducted measuring the variations in the area of the ulceration and microcirculatory parameters. After four weeks, treatment with the Silver Oxide Ointment proved more effective than the 'best management' used in controls. Transcutaneous PO2 was increased (improved); Laser Doppler skin flux and transcutaneous PCO2 were improved (decreased). Also in the silver oxide group a significantly higher number of venous ulcers were completely healed at four weeks. The silver oxide ointment improved both the microcirculation and the healing rate of their ulcers. No significant tolerability problems were observed. In difficult venous ulcerations, local treatment with this Silver Oxide Ointment, as one component of the total wound dressing, improved microcirculation measurements and healing rate. Most of the treatments were done at home by the patients or by their tutors. This study indicates the important role of this type of treatment and indicates the need to plan larger and more prolonged studies.