Hyaluronate carboxymethylcellulose sheets for the prevention of adhesive complications: a model-based cost-utility analysis.

AIM: Clinical trials suggest that hyaluronate carboxymethylcellulose (HA/CMC) prevents adhesion-related complications after intra-abdominal surgery, but at a high upfront cost. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of HA/CMC for patients undergoing curative-intent open colorectal cancer surgery. METHODS: Using a Markov Monte Carlo microsimulation model, we conducted a cost-utility analysis comparing the cost-effectiveness of HA/CMC at curative-intent open colorectal cancer surgery versus standard management. We considered a scenario where HA/CMC was used at the index operation only, as well as where it was used at the index operation and any subsequent operations. The perspective was that of the third-party payer. Costs and utilities were discounted 1.5% annually, with a 1-month cycle length and 5-year time horizon. Model input data were obtained from a literature review. Outcomes included cost, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), small bowel obstructions (SBOs) and operations for SBO. RESULTS: Using HA/CMC at the index operation results in an incremental cost increase of CA$316 and provides 0.001 additional QALYs, for an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of CA$310,000 per QALY compared to standard management. In our simulated cohort of 10,000 patients, HA/CMC prevented 460 SBOs and 293 surgeries for SBO. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis found that HA/CMC was cost-effective in 18.5% of iterations, at a cost-effectiveness threshold of CA$50,000 per QALY. Results of the scenario analysis where HA/CMC was used at the index operation and any subsequent operations were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Hyaluronate carboxymethylcellulose prevents adhesive bowel obstruction after open colorectal cancer surgery but is unlikely to be cost-effective given minimal long-term impact on healthcare costs and QALYs.

Carboxymethyl Cellulose, Trichloroacetic Acid, and Unna Boot for Healing Venous Ulcers: A Comparative Study of Their Efficacy and Socioeconomic Impact.

Chronic ulcers are defined as a breakdown of the long-term cutaneous barrier or frequent recurrence of breakdowns. Dressings are a form of treatment and, in view of the variety and high cost of the products on the market, three agents were selected for this investigation, regarding their efficacy and cost/benefit ratio. The objective of the investigation was to evaluate and compare the efficacy, costs, and benefits of carboxymethylcellulose in paste at 20% (CMC 20%), trichloroacetic acid at 90% (TCA 90%), and Unna boot for treatment of chronic venous ulcers. Three groups of 30 patients each were chosen randomly for ambulatory treatment with TCA 90% (G1), CMC 20% (G2), and Unna boot (G3). The evolution of the cicatricial process of each group separately and between groups was analyzed with measurement of the lesion areas in square centimeters (cm2) and observation of the amount of exudate from observation of the photographic record, until their healing, in the maximum period of 20 weeks. A significant reduction of lesion areas in all groups was observed (P=.0001), with a median reduction of 7.6 cm2 (38.1%) for G1, 3.9 cm2 (38.8%) for G2, and 16.2 cm2 (77.8%) for G3. There was a significant difference in the absolute delta of the lesion areas (P=.0001) of the groups. The three types of treatments promoted effective improvement, with acquisition and utilization of all three products in the public health services being recommended.

Apósito de espuma con hidrofibra / Foam dressing with hydrofiber

ANTECEDENTES: Se solicita al IETSI la evaluación y Validación de la tecnología "Aposito de Espuma con Hidrofibra" segun CARTA Número 6413-GRAR-EsSalud-2016. El apósito de espuma con hidrofibra, especificamente descrito como "apósito de hidrofibra de carboximetilcelulosa sódica 100% con plata iónica, con espuma de poliuretano y recubrimiento impermeable", consiste en un film externo impermeable de poliuretano y una almohadilla multicapa absorvente. la almohadilla contiene una capa de espuma de poliuretano y una capa no tejida de hidrofibra. La hidrofibra contiene plataiónica al 1.2% con activdad antimicrobiana. Esta indicado en el manejo de heridas crónicas o agudas tales como úlceras vasculares, de presión (estadio II -IV), úlceras de pie diabético, heridas quirúrgicas, heridas traumáticas, entre otros. Los apósitos antimicrobianos que contienen plata, se utilizan para prevenir o tratar la infección en una amplia variedad de heridas. Según lo solicitado, el uso en EsSalud seria para aumentar las tasas de curación de úlceras de presión.METODOLOGÍA: El análisis ha consistido en una búsqueda y evaluación de la evidencia científica actual sobre el uso de la tecnologia. Se realizó una evaluación de estudios descriptivos, guías, revisiones sistemáticas, meta-análisis, ensayos clínicos, entre otros. En las seguientes bases de datos referenciales hasta diciembre 2016: Pubmed, Science Direct, EMBASE, EBSCO, Scielo, así como información proporcionada por grupos internacionales o agencias internacionales que realizan revisiones sistemáticas, evaluación de tecnologías sanitarias tales como The Cochrane Library y el National Institute for Health and Clincial Excelence (NICE). para la búsqueda se usaron los siguientes términos generales: "apósitos de plata" "apósito de espuma con hidrofibra", apósito de hidrofibra de carboximetilcelulosa con plata iónico". ANALISES DE LA EVALUACIÓN: Según la evidencia cientifica revisada, se encontró información acerca del dispositivo "Aposito de espuma con hidrofibra". Se presenta la evidencia científica encontrada. Meta-análisis y Revisiones Sistemáticas sobre Apósitos que contiene plata en el manejo de heridas no cicatrizantes. Ensayos Clínicos en "Apósito de Hidrofibra de Carboximetilcelulosa sódica 100% con plata iónica". CONCLUSIÓN: No se encontró evidencia que resplade la efectividad del Dispositivo Médico "Apósito de Espuma con Hidrofibra de carboximetilcelulosa sódica 100% con plata iónica" frente al tratamiento estándar con sulfadiazina de plata de heridas agudas o crónicas no cicatrizantes (úlceras de presión) empleado actualmente en EsSalud. Además, son pocos los estudios disponibles donde se considera la curación completa de la herida como criterio de valoración principal. Los pacientes con úlceras de presión fueron evaluados en conjunto con otros tipos de heridas por lo que es necesario ampliar más estudios que incluyan mayor tiempo de duración del tratamiento y resultados a largo plazo en este subgrupo de pacientes.

Evaluación del gel antiadherencial post quirúrgico: hialuronato de sodio más carboximetilcelulosa y alginato / Evaluation of post-surgical antiadherence gel: sodium hyaluronate plus carboxymethylcellulose and alginate

INTRODUCCIÓN: las adherencias generalmente se originan en respuesta al corte, isquemia, y lesión durante la cirugia abdominal o pélvica. Las adherencias pueden lener un efecto beneficioso, sin embargo cuando se originan en exceso ocasionan incomodidad, dolor, y hasta severos problemas de salud en los pacientes. OBJETIVO: La presente evaluación tiene como objetivo determinar la eficacia y seguridad del agente antiadherencial: hialuronato de sodio más carboximetilcelulosa y alginato. METODOLOGÍA: Se realiza una búsqueda sistemática de evidencia cientifica hasta marzo del 2016 acerca de la eficacia y seguridad del agente: hialuronato de sodio más carboximetilcelulosa y alginato. RESULTADOS: Se encuentra una serie de efectos adversos reportados en los estudios junto con una serie de deficiencias metodológicas lo que se considera que las investigaciones publicadas hasta la actualidad (marzo del 2016) son insuficientes para poder determinar la eficacia y seguridad del gel antiadherencial postquirúrgico (hialuronato de sodio más carboximetilcelulosa). CONCLUSIÓN: El Instituto de Evaluación de Tecnologías en Salud e Investigación - IETSI, no aprueba el uso del gel antiadherencial en sus presentaciones: hialuronato de sodio más carboximetilcelulosa, alginato o la combinación de hialuronato de sodio más carboximetilcelulosa y alginato; para la reducción de adherencias abdominales y pélvicas.

Custo do tratamento de úlceras venosas no ambulatório e domicílio: estudo descritivo / Cost of the treatment for venous ulcers in an outpatient clinic and in the household: a descriptive study / Costo del tratamiento de úlceras venosas en el ambulatorio y en el domicilio: estudio descriptivo

OBJETIVO: Comparar os custos diretos do tratamento de úlceras venosas com gel de carboximetilcelulose nos ambientes domiciliar e ambulatorial. MÉTODO: Estudo descritivo, com realização de 96 consultas no Ambulatório de Reparo de Feridas de um hospital universitário, entre abril e dezembro de 2013. Foram identificadas categorias de custo, definidos valores monetários e realizados cálculos baseados no consumo dos materiais no ambulatório e dispensados para o domicílio. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do hospital sob o número 196/08. RESULTADOS: Após 84 dias de seguimento, os custos do tratamento ambulatorial foram maiores do que os custos do tratamento domiciliar, e a principal responsável por essa diferença é a mão de obra do enfermeiro. CONCLUSÃO: É necessário definir estratégias para a realização de consultas de enfermagem efetivas com orientações para o tratamento domiciliar e dispensação do material para o paciente.

AIM: To compare the direct costs of treatment of venous ulcers involving the use of carboxymethylcellulose gel in domiciliary and outpatient environments. METHOD: This is a descriptive study, in which 96 consultations were performed in the Wound Healing Clinic of a university hospital between April and December 2013. Cost categories were identified, monetary values were defined and calculations were based on the consumption of materials used in the clinic and later released to the patients' homes. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the hospital under the number 196/08. RESULTS: After 84 days of follow-up, outpatient treatment costs were higher than the home care costs, and the main reason for this difference was nursing manpower. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to define strategies for conducting effective nursing consultations and these strategies should include guidelines for home care and the dispensing of the material for patients.

OBJETIVO: Comparar los gastos directos del tratamiento de úlceras venosas con gel de Carboximetilcelulosa en los ambientes domiciliario y ambulatorio. MÉTODO: Estudio descriptivo, con realización de 96 consultas en el Ambulatorio de Reparación de heridas de un hospital universitario, entre abril y diciembre de 2013. Fueron identificadas categorías de costo, definidos valores monetarios y realizados cálculos basados en el consumo de los materiales en el ambulatorio y dispensados para el domicilio. El estudio fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética en Pesquisa del hospital con el número 196/08. RESULTADOS: Después de 84 días de seguimiento, los gastos del tratamiento ambulatorio fueron mayores de que los gastos del tratamiento domiciliario, y la principal responsable por esa diferencia es la mano de obra del enfermero. CONCLUSIÓN: Es necesario definir estrategias para realizar consultas de enfermería efectivas con orientaciones para el tratamiento domiciliario y la dispensación del material para el paciente.

Clinical evaluation comparing the efficacy of aquacel Ag with vaseline gauze versus 1% silver sulfadiazine cream in toxic epidermal necrolysis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether using Aquacel Ag (ConvaTec, Skillman, New Jersey) with Vaseline (Unilever, London, England) gauze instead of silver sulfadiazine cream (SSD) as the wound care protocol to treat toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) can improve wound healing, pain control, and reduction of labor costs. DESIGN: A retrospective chart review. SETTING: A burn center with 2 plastic surgeons and 11 nursing staff. PATIENTS: A pathologist diagnosed TEN in 35 patients admitted to the burn center from 1995 to 2009. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Parameters included the patient's profile, dressing choice, severity-of-illness score for TEN, time to 95% re-epithelialization, visual analog scale pain scores before second dressing change, and labor cost. The exclusion criterion was wound care with neither Aquacel Ag with Vaseline nor SSD exclusively. RESULTS: Twenty patients were enrolled in this study. In the group using Aquacel Ag with Vaseline gauze, the visual analog scale score was significantly less than that of the SSD group (P = .02). Labor costs were significantly lower in the Aquacel Ag with Vaseline gauze group (P < .01). Commencement of specific dressing to 95% re-epithelialization (P = .09) and time spent in the second dressing change (P = .05) had no statistical significance between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that Aquacel Ag with Vaseline gauze decreased pain and labor costs but did not shorten wound healing time. Thus, Aquacel Ag with Vaseline gauze can be an efficient method for treating TEN wounds.

In vitro assessment of artificial saliva formulations on initial enamel erosion remineralization.

OBJECTIVES: Various formulations of artificial saliva are present in the literature and little guidance is available on the standardization of type of saliva for use in in vitro protocols for erosive studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the remineralizing capacity of different formulations of artificial saliva on initial enamel erosive lesion. METHODS: Bovine enamel blocks were subjected to short-term acidic exposure by immersion in citric acid 0.05 M (pH 2.5) for 15s, resulting in surface softening without tissue loss. Then 90 selected eroded enamel blocks were randomly and equally divided into 6 groups according to saliva formulation (n=15): Saliva 1 (contain mucin); Saliva 2 (Saliva 1 without mucin); Saliva 3; Saliva 4; Saliva 5 (contain sodium carboxymethyl cellulose) and control (C) (deionized water). After demineralization enamel blocks were subjected to remineralization by immersion in the saliva's formulations for 2h. Enamel remineralization was measured by superficial hardness test (% superficial hardness change). The data were tested using ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05). RESULTS: All the tested formulations of artificial saliva resulted in significantly higher enamel remineralization compared to control (p<0.001). Saliva 3 showed higher percentage of enamel remineralization than Saliva 5 (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Besides the variety of artificial saliva for erosion in vitro protocols, all the formulations tested were able to partially remineralize initial erosive lesions.

Aquacel(®) Ag dressing versus Acticoat™ dressing in partial thickness burns: a prospective, randomized, controlled study in 100 patients. Part 1: burn wound healing.

INTRODUCTION: Studies comparing contemporary silver dressings in burns are scarce. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized, controlled study, counting 50 patients/research group, we compared two frequently used silver dressings, Acticoat™ and Aquacel(®) Ag, in the management of partial thickness burns with a predicted healing time between 7 and 21 days as assessed by laser Doppler imaging between 48 and 72h after burn. Variables investigated were related to baseline research group characteristics, wound healing, bacteriology, economics, nurse, and patient experience. RESULTS: Both research groups were comparably composed taking into account gender, age and burn characteristics. Similar results were obtained as to healing time and bacterial control with both silver dressings. A statistically significant difference in favor of the Aquacel(®) Ag dressing was found for average ease of use (p<0.001), average ease of application (p=0.001), patient pain (p<0.001), patient comfort with the dressing (p=0.017), silver staining (p<0.001), and cost effectiveness (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Both silver dressings resulted in comparable healing times and bacterial control but the Aquacel(®) Ag dressing significantly increased comfort for patients as well as nurses and was significantly more cost-effective than the Acticoat™ dressing for the given indication.

Clinical and cost-effectiveness of absorbent dressings in the treatment of highly exuding VLUs.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of using a sodium carboxymethylcellulose dressing (CMC [Aquacel]) and four super absorbent dressings (DryMax Extra[DM], Flivasorb [F], Kerramax [K] and sachet S [S]) in the treatment of highly exuding chronic venous leg ulcers (VLUs) in the UK, from the perspective of the National Health Service (NHS). METHOD: A decision model was constructed depicting the patient pathways and associated management of a cohort of 439 patients with highly exuding chronic VLUs of;;: 3 months of age. The model was based on the case records of a cohort of matched patients from The Health Improvement Network (THIN)database (a nationally representative database of patients registered with general practitioners (GPs) in the UK) who were treated with one of the five dressings. The model estimated the costs and outcomes of patient management over 6 months and the relative cost-effectiveness of using each dressing. RESULTS: Patients' mean age was 73.1 years, and 46% were female. Between 39% and 56% ofVLUs healed by 6 months. CMC-treated wounds that remained unhealed increased in size by 43% over the study period, whereas unhealed wounds treated with the other dressings decreased in size by a mean 34%. Consequently, CMC was excluded from the cost-effectiveness analysis. The 6-monthly NHS cost of managing a VLU with S was £3700 per patient, which was 15-28% lower than the cost of managing patients with the other three super absorbents. Additionally, use of S improved patients' health status to a greater extent than the other three super absorbents, since S-treated patients accrued 0.3-3% more QALYs. Starting treatment with S was the preferred strategy followed by DM, K and Fin that order. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the data set,S affords the NHS a cost-effective treatment for managing highly exuding chronic VLUs of ≥3 months of age, compared with DM, F, K and CMC.

A phase II prospective, non-comparative assessment of a new silver sodium carboxymethylcellulose (AQUACEL(®) Ag BURN) glove in the management of partial thickness hand burns.

BACKGROUND: Nylon-reinforced silver sodium carboxymethylcellulose (AQUACEL(®) Ag BURN) dressings were developed to be pliable and conforming for the management of partial-thickness burns. This study evaluated the AQUACEL(®) Ag BURN glove for the management of hand burns. METHODS: This 21-day, phase II, prospective, non-comparative study included 23 patients with partial-thickness hand burn of at least two fingers. The AQUACEL(®) Ag BURN glove was applied to one hand and could remain in place up to 21 days until clinically indicated to change the glove. Dressings were evaluated 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 14, and 21 days after initial application. Safety was the primary study endpoint. RESULTS: Sixteen (70%) hand burns re-epithelialized fully over a mean of 15.6 days. Initial application was easy/very easy for 20 (87%) patients. Mean time for initial dressing application was 5.4 min. At final evaluation, most patients gave ratings of excellent/good for conformability (91%), overall glove performance (74%), and appropriateness of sizes (83%). Mean pain score from 0 (none) to 10 (worst imaginable) was 3.43 at baseline; during the study, mean scores were 1.15 at rest and 2.29 during movement. Of 61 glove removals, most (72%) were easy/very easy, and 12% had fallen off. Adverse events (wound site or elsewhere) occurred in 15 (65%) patients. Treatment-related adverse events were wound pain (17%), maceration (9%), and stiff fingers (4%). CONCLUSIONS: The AQUACEL(®) Ag BURN glove was well tolerated in the management of partial-thickness hand burn. Many patients used only one glove. When glove changes were required, they were usually quick and easy.

A randomized comparison study of Aquacel Ag and Glucan II as donor site dressings with regard to healing time, cosmesis, infection rate, and patient's perceived pain: a pilot study.

This study was undertaken to compare pain, healing time, infection rate, and cosmetic outcome between Aquacel Ag (Convatec) and Glucan II (Brennan Medical) as donor site dressings. The authors performed a prospective, randomized, patient-controlled study. Eligible patients had two donor sites harvested. One site was dressed with Aquacel Ag and the other site with Glucan II. Patients were followed at set time points for 6 months to determine the rate of epithelialization, patient's perceived pain, infection rate, and the cosmetic outcome. A total of 20 patients were enrolled in the study. All patient data were collected through reepithelialization. The average time to wound healing for Aquacel Ag was 12.5 ± 2.07 days compared with Glucan II 12.7 ± 1.99 days. Perceived pain scores for each donor site were recorded. On postoperative day 5, patients reported significantly less pain with the Aquacel Ag site (Aquacel Ag 1.75 vs Glucan II 2.5, P = .02). Three donor sites showed clinical signs of infection (two Glucan II and one Aquacel Ag) prompting culture and dressing removal. There was no statistically significant difference in cosmetic outcomes of the donor sites at any time point. When comparing Aquacel Ag and Glucan II, our study has determined that there is no significant difference with regard to healing time, infection rates, and cosmetic outcomes. Both dressings are comparable with regard to ease of application and postoperative care.

An assessment of the effects of a hyaluronan-based solution on reduction of postsurgical adhesion formation in rats: a comparative study of hyaluronan-based solution and two film barriers.

BACKGROUND: Intra-abdominal application of anti-adhesive barriers may reduce the extent and severity of postoperative adhesions. This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of a sprayable liquid barrier (a mixed solution of sodium hyaluronate and carboxymethylcellulose) with two conventional sheets. METHODS: Eighty male Sprague Dawley rats underwent laparotomy with subsequent multiple intestinal wall abrasions and abdominal wall injury. Afterwards, sodium hyaluronate and carboxymethylcellulose (HA-CMC) solutions were intraperitoneally sprayed or a film barrier of either oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) or polylactic acid (PA) was placed under the incision. At postoperative d 21, the rats underwent relaparotomy and complete adhesiolysis. Three investigators, who were blind to the group assignment, scored the extent of adhesion formation and resected specimens for histologic examination of fibrosis and inflammation. Expression profiles of parameters as mediators (macrophages [CD68]) in cellular inflammation response were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean adhesion scores in rats that received HA-CMC solution (7.6±2.3) and ORC membrane (8.1±2.2) were lower than in rats that received PA film (10.7±2.5) and the control group (11.2±2.6) (P<0.05 for each comparison). In addition, there were significantly fewer adhesions located between large and small intestine in the HA-CMC solution group than in the control and each of the film barrier groups (P<0.05 for each comparison). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that both HA-CMC solution and ORC membrane decrease the overall incidence of postoperative adhesions. However, the mixed solution of HA-CMC appeared to be superior to ORC membrane because this sprayable solution is easy to use and suitable for site-specific adhesion prevention after multifocal bowel trauma.

A prospective, randomized trial of silver containing hydrofiber dressing versus 1% silver sulfadiazine for the treatment of partial thickness burns.

Silver sulfadiazine has been used as a topical burn wound treatment for many years. Pain associated with dressing changes is a common problem in burn wounds. Aquacel Ag, a hydrofiber dressing coated with ionic silver has been reported to reduce burn wound infection and promote antimicrobial activity. The purpose of this study was to show the benefits of Aquacel Ag for the treatment of partial thickness burns. This prospective randomized study was conducted in 70 patients who had partial thickness burns less than 15% of total body surface area and were treated at Siriraj outpatient burn clinic during December 2006-February 2008. Patients were divided into two groups: Aquacel Ag-treated group with dressing changes every 3 days (35 patients) and 1% silver sulfadiazine-treated group, with daily dressing changes (35 patients). There was no difference in demographic data including age, gender, burn percentage between groups. Time-to-wound healing pain score during dressing change and cost of treatment were compared between both groups. Time-to-wound closure was significantly shorter in the Aquacel Ag-treated group (10 +/- 3 versus 13.7 +/- 4 days, P < 0.02) as well as pain scores at days 1, 3 and 7 (4.1 +/- 2.1, 2.1 +/- 1.8, 0.9 +/- 1.4 versus 6.1 +/- 2.3, 5.2 +/- 2.1, 3.3 +/- 1.9, respectively, P < 0.02). Total cost of treatment was 52 +/- 29 US dollars for the Aquacel Ag-treated group versus 93 +/- 36 US dollars for the silver sulfadiazine-treated group. This study showed that Aquacel Ag increased time to healing, decreased pain symptoms and increased patient convenience because of limiting the frequency of replacement of the dressing at lower total cost. This study confirms the efficacy of Aquacel Ag for the treatment of partial thickness burns at an outpatient clinic.

Moist wound healing compared with standard care of treatment of primary closed vascular surgical wounds: a prospective randomized controlled study.

This study was a randomized-controlled trial comparing the standard type of dry dressing, Mepore, with moist wound healing, using a hydrofiber dressing, Aquacel, in primary closed wounds after vascular surgery. The endpoints were patient comfort, cost-effectiveness, infections, wound complications, and length of hospital stay. One hundred and sixty patients were randomized to receive either Mepore or Aquacel dressing. There was no significant difference in patient comfort between the two groups, but a higher cost in the Aquacel group despite significantly fewer changes of dressings in these patients. No difference in the infection rate (13% vs. 11%, p=0.73), length of hospital stay, or wound complications was noted between the two groups. We conclude that although the Aquacel dressing needed significantly fewer changes than the conventional dressing, this did not influence the patient comfort. Moreover, the traditional dressing scheme was significantly less expensive.

Randomized clinical study of Hydrofiber dressing with silver or silver sulfadiazine in the management of partial-thickness burns.

This prospective, randomized study compared protocols of care using either AQUACEL Ag Hydrofiber (ConvaTec, a Bristol-Myers Squibb company, Skillman, NJ) dressing with silver (n = 42) or silver sulfadiazine (n = 42) for up to 21 days in the management of partial-thickness burns covering 5% to 40% body surface area (BSA). AQUACEL Ag dressing was associated with less pain and anxiety during dressing changes, less burning and stinging during wear, fewer dressing changes, less nursing time, and fewer procedural medications. Silver sulfadiazine was associated with greater flexibility and ease of movement. Adverse events, including infection, were comparable between treatment groups. The AQUACEL Ag dressing protocol tended to have lower total treatment costs (Dollars 1040 vs. Dollars 1180) and a greater rate of re-epithelialization (73.8% vs 60.0%), resulting in cost-effectiveness per burn healed of Dollars 1,409.06 for AQUACEL Ag dressing and Dollars 1,967.95 for silver sulfadiazine. A protocol of care with AQUACEL(R) Ag provided clinical and economic benefits compared with silver sulfadiazine in patients with partial-thickness burns.

Cost effectiveness of using carboxymethylcellulose dressing compared with gauze in the management of exuding venous leg ulcers in Germany and the USA.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost effectiveness of using carboxymethylcellulose dressing (CMCD; Aquacel Hydrofiber) compared to gauze in the management of exuding venous leg ulcers in Germany and the USA. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a modelling study performed from the perspective of payers (i.e. the sickness funds in Germany and the community sector in the USA). METHODS: Clinical outcomes attributable to managing exuding venous leg ulcers were obtained from the published literature in the English language. These data were combined with resource utilisation estimates derived from a panel of clinicians enabling us to construct two decision models depicting the management of venous leg ulcers with CMCD or gauze over 18 weeks in Germany and the USA. The models were used to estimate the cost effectiveness of CMCD compared to gauze in the management of exuding venous leg ulcers in both countries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES AND RESULTS: Starting treatment with CMCD instead of gauze in both Germany and the USA is expected to heal 30% of ulcers within 18 weeks compared to 13% with gauze (p = 0.003). The healthcare cost of starting treatment with CMCD or gauze in Germany is expected to be Euro2020 and Euro 2654 respectively at 18 weeks. Additionally, the healthcare cost of starting treatment with CMCD or gauze in the USA is expected to be $3797 and $5288 respectively at 18 weeks. Hence, using CMCD instead of gauze is expected to increase the probability of healing within 18 weeks by 130% and reduce healthcare costs by at least 24%. The healthcare cost of managing CMCD-treated patients was less than that of gauze-treated patients in both countries due to decreased nursing and physician costs associated with a lower frequency of CMCD dressing changes compared to gauze dressing changes. If it were assumed that treatment with gauze in both countries heals 30% of ulcers within 18 weeks (i.e. is identical to CMCD), then the expected healthcare cost of using gauze would be reduced by only 3% (from Euro2654 to Euro2562 in Germany and from $5288 to $5148 in the USA). CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of our model, starting management of an exuding venous leg ulcer with CMCD instead of gauze is the cost effective strategy in both Germany and the USA. Moreover, the purchase price of a leg ulcer dressing should not be used as an indication of the cost effectiveness of a given method of care.