Use of a hydrocapillary dressing in the management of highly exuding ulcers: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and performance of Alione Hydrocapillary dressing (Coloplast A/S) in the management of highly exuding chronic venous leg ulcers and compare it with two hydropolymer dressings,Tielle and Tielle Plus (Johnson & Johnson). METHOD: A comparative clinical trial was conducted on 97 patients with an ankle brachial pressure index > or = 0.8 and a highly exuding leg ulcer. Ulcer duration was at least four weeks. Treatment continued until healing or for a maximum of 12 months. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in healing time or wound area reduction between the two treatment protocols. The test dressing (Alione Hydrocapillary) had better absorption capacity and was more comfortable for the patients than the comparator dressings (Tielle/Tielle Plus) and adhered less to the wound bed.Also, more patients preferred the test dressing to their previous treatment. Although severe leakage and maceration were observed more frequently in the comparator group compared with the test group, this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Both treatment protocols were safe and effective in treating highly exuding chronic venous leg ulcers. The test dressing performed as well as or better than the comparator dressings for all study parameters and more patients preferred the test dressing to their previous dressing compared with the comparator dressings.

Current challenges in wound care management: an overview.

This article provides an overview of the latest theories and technology in compression therapy, and the use of growth factors and skin substitutes. Compression therapy is a major factor in the treatment of venous leg ulcers and is widely used and readily available on the Drug Tariff. Skin substitute and growth factors provide a new technological approach to wound healing with hope for the future management of both acute and chronic wounds. While new technologies are an exciting prospect for the future of wound management, there can be no substitute for good wound care. In the interest of optimum wound management and patient care, health professionals have a duty to find ways to improve patients' quality of life.

Acute and subacute (30-day) toxicological investigations of 4-(p-chlorophenylthio) butanol (W-2719) in mice, rats and dogs.

The acute and subacute toxicity of 4-(p-chlorophenylthio) butanol (W-2719), on anti-allergy agent, was investigated in mice, rats and dogs. Acute LD50 values in the mouse (1145.0 mg/kg p.o.) and rat (greater than 1400.0 mg/kg p.o.) and maximum tolerated dose in the dog (420.0 mg/kg p.o.) were very high, indicative of a high degree of safety following a single oral dose. The subacute toxicity studies were conducted by repeated daily oral administration of the compound for 30 days. In the rat, W-2719 did not produce any significant toxicity up to a dose level of 100.0 mg/kg/day, when administered as a drug-diet admixture. A higher dose, i.e., 200.0 mg/kg/day, produced marked reductions in body weight gain, food consumption, RBC and WBC (females especially), and other hematological parameters. In the purebred beagle dog, W-2719 did not produce any significant toxicity up to a dose level of 100.0 mg/kg/day, the highest dose level tested in this species.

Toxicological investigation of 2,3-dihydro-9H-isoxazolo[3,2-b]quinazolin-9-one (W-2429). Acute and subacute toxicity in mice, rats and dogs.

The acute and subactue toxicity of 2,3-dihydro-9H-isoxazolo[3,2-b]quinazolin-9-one (W-2429), a non-narcotic analgesic agent, was investigated in mice, rats and dogs. The subacute toxicity study was conducted by repeated oral administration of the compound for 30 days. Treatment with W-2429 was well tolerated by rats as well as dogs. In the dog, the only signs of toxicity observed were decreased appetite and salivation at 100 mg/kg/day. No other significant evidence of physical, chemical, gross or histopathologic change was observed.

Toxicity of delta9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) administered subcutaneously for 13 days to female rabbits.

Delta9- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was administered subcutaneously to female New Zealand white strain rabbits for 13 days. The animals were randomly divided into six groups of five animals each of which consisted of untreated controls, vehicle (undiluted propylene glycol)-treated, and THC treatment at dose levels of 100, 30, 10, and 3 mg/kg/day. All animals survived for the duration of the study. The THC-treated rabbits did not gain significant body weight which seems to be due to a decreased food consumption. There were some variations in various hematologic values, but they all were within the normal range for our laboratory. Blood chemistry evaluations showed decreased serum levels of potassium, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, alkaline phosphatase, and albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio and an increase in cholesterol levels of all treated animals. A significant increase in billirubin values was noted in the animsls of the 3- and 10-mg/kg groups. The injection site in the skin of the THC-treated rabbits showed signs of local irritation (erythema and subcutaneous abscesses). There was a reduction in absolute and percent of body weight of the liver and absolute weight of the lungs of the treated animals. However, no histopathologic alterations were observed. It may be concluded that THC treatment subcutaneously for 13 days in rabbits up to a dose level of 100 mg/kg/day did not produce any significant toxicity, except anorexia and some local dermal irritation.