Combined use of an iodinated foam with compression therapy for venous stasis ulcers

Background: Venous stasis ulcer is the most common etiology of lower extremity ulceration, which affects approximately one percent of the United States population. These ulcers are usually recurrent and may persist for weeks to years. The refractory nature of these ulcers increases the risk of morbidity and mortality, and significantly impacts the patient’s quality of life.1

Therefore, choice of appropriate wound dressings are crucial in the ulcer healing process. One such dressing is the slow-release iodine-based foam dressing. It is an absorptive polyvinyl alcohol-based dressing that is complexed with iodine, such that free iodine is released into the dressing in a controlled manner and creates an equilibrium between the wound dressing and the wound bed.

This dressing can be cut to the shape of the wound and stacked. In addition to the iodine-based foam dressing, evidence-based treatment options including compression therapy have been known to increase ulcer healing rates compared to no compression.2,3 This case series evaluated the efficacy of the slow-release iodine-based foam dressing combined with compression therapy in the treatment of venous stasis ulcers.

Methods: In this case series, three patients with multiple comorbidities and recurrent venous wounds presented with venous leg ulcers. Sharp debridement was performed, followed by application of the iodine-based foam dressing and 2-4 layers of compression wrap weekly. The treatment duration for the three patients lasted from approximately three weeks to five months. Percent granulation tissue, wound surface area, and percent slough were evaluated.Results: A decrease in wound surface area and percent slough were noted; a 100% granulation tissue was observed by the end of treatment duration. These indicated improvement in ulcer healing. None of the patients experienced any severe adverse event(s) related to this dressing during the treatment duration.

Conclusions: Observations of this case series indicated that the slow-release iodine-based foam dressing in combination with compression therapy supported ulcer healing and was well tolerated.