Using dry autolytic method in managing pressure ulcers in elderly patients

Abstract

Back ground. The pressure sore is a common disease and affects mainly elderly people and patients with neurological sequels. In the domiciliary medical attention of the elderly patient made by Padomi from Essalud, the pressure sores are one of the most common pathologies. Objective. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of dry autolytic method in the treatment of pressure ulcers. Methods. This is a prospective randomized simple-blind clinical trial study. The sample is composed by elderly patients with diagnostic of pressure sore, attended by Padomi from Essalud between 2008 to 2012. Both treatments have been evaluated based in the time of healing of the lesions. Results. Two groups of 50 patients with 123 and 112 pressure sores respectively have been treated by an interdisciplinary team from Padomi of Essalud between 2008 to 2012. This study have found statistical significant differences in favor of the dry autolytic method in the lesions located at the trochanter level (p = 0,04). Conclusions. The results obtained with the two methods vary according with the anatomical localization of the lesions. The use of the autolytic method have been demonstrated be more efficient (less time of healing) than conventional method in the treatment of pressure sores located in the trochanter level.