The effect of dressings on the production of exudate from venous leg ulcers

The application of a hydrocolloid dressing can reduce the volume of exudate produced by leg ulcers to less than 50 percent of control values. It is proposed that this effect is due to the accumulation of fluid beneath the dressing causing an increase in pressure that prevents further fluid loss from the capillary network. The fact that exudate production may be influenced by the application of a dressing has not been reported previously, and this observation may have very important implications, for the selection and use of existing dressings and for the design of future products.