Br J Community Nurs. 2026 Jun;31(Sup6):S6-S15. doi: 10.12968/bjcn.2025.0196. Epub 2026 May 29.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Venous leg ulcers are highly exuding and require compression, which challenges a dressing to absorb while being compressed.
AIMS: This study compares exudate management on venous leg ulcers with different superabsorbent dressings used in combination with compression therapy.
METHODS: This wound care improvement feasibility study is a case series of 10 patients with highly exuding venous leg ulcers. The authors followed the progress of patients for 2 weeks with a standardised superabsorbent dressing, then switched to a different superabsorbent dressing for 4 weeks while using the same compression system in both care periods. They recorded frequency of care, dressing size, dressing weight at removal, leakage, maceration, wound size and patient comfort.
FINDINGS: Superabsorbent dressings varied in performance for the management of exudate under compression.
CONCLUSIONS: Better exudate management helps to manage periwound maceration and may potentially facilitate healing. This may shorten the duration of care, improve patient quality of life and could potentially reduce costs.
PMID:42213626 | DOI:10.12968/bjcn.2025.0196