Health technology assessment : HTA
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Health Technol Assess · Jul 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialVenUS I: a randomised controlled trial of two types of bandage for treating venous leg ulcers.
To compare the clinical and cost-effectiveness of two different compression bandages for the healing of venous leg ulcers. ⋯ The 4LB, which is currently the UK standard compression bandage for people with venous leg ulcers, was more clinically and cost-effective than the SSB. The bandage costs were less important than the costs of treatment visits, and patients in SSBs required more treatment overall. Generally, this trial supports the use of the 4LB in preference to the SSB. Recommendations for future research include: exploration of the relationship between bandager skill, application technique and ulcer healing; the relative cost-effectiveness of community leg ulcer clinics; and the study of nurse decision-making in venous ulcer management.