S. R. Padmanabhan, S. Savitha
BACKGROUND Foot ulcer is a major disease-causing disability to many patients around the world. Treatment of foot ulcer remains a major healthcare issue; and especially diabetic foot ulcer accounts for 15% of incidence which is the commonest cause of lower extremity amputation accounts for. Effective treatment of ulceration is necessary to reduce the number of amputations as emphasized by St. Vincent’s declaration. Therefore, evaluation of the effect of the collagen dressing on various types of foot ulcers is undertaken. The aim of the study was to analyse the role of collagen dressing in healing of these ulcers in comparison with the conventional wound dressings. This cross-sectional study of 100 patients was conducted over a period of 6 months in the Department of General Surgery, Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai, India. Conventional and collagen dressing were compared in patients with foot ulcers and the healing outcome was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was conducted over a period of 6 months in the Department of General Surgery, Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai, India. 100 patients suffering from foot ulcers were divided into two groups based on dressing applied. Group A consists of patients with collagen dressing and Group B, of patients with conventional dressing. RESULTS Collagen dressing increases the rate of wound healing as compared to moistened gauze. It also reduces the requirement of skin cover. Further, it also reduces the follow up period and antibiotic use significantly as compared to conventional dressing. CONCLUSION Collagen dressing is significantly better than conventional dressing for faster healing and reducing the complications rates without causing any significant morbidity to the patient.
