Hugo Partsch1, Markus Stücker2, Wolfgang Vanscheidt3, Severin Läuchli4,5, Stephan Eder6, Kerstin Protz7, Joachim Dissemond8. 1. , Wien, Österreich. 2. Venenzentrum der Dermatologischen und Gefäßchirurgischen Kliniken, St. Maria Hilf Krankenhaus, Kliniken der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Hiltroper Landwehr 11-13, 44805, Bochum, Deutschland. 3. Dermatologische Praxis, Paula-Modersohn Platz 3, 79100, Freiburg, Deutschland. 4. Dermatologische Klinik Universitätsspital Zürich, Zürich, Schweiz. 5. Dermatologisches Zentrum Zürich AG, Zürich, Schweiz. 6. Klinik für Gefäßchirurgie und Gefäßmedizin, Schwarzwald-Baar Klinikum, Klinikstr. 11, 78052, Villingen-Schwenningen, Deutschland. 7. Competenzzentrum Versorgungsforschung in der Dermatologie (CVderm), Institut für Versorgungsforschung in der Dermatologie und bei Pflegeberufen (IVDP), Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Deutschland. 8. Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Deutschland. Joachim.Dissemond@uk-essen.de.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The pressure exerted by a compression device on a part of the body corresponds to the dosage of the compression therapy. Therefore, the pressure course under compression materials should be investigated in different clinical situations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pressure measurements were carried out under different compression materials in lying, standing and walking positions within the framework of training, self-experimentation and in patients with venous leg ulcers. RESULTS: The results showed that the pressure varied considerably depending on the material used, the firmness of application, the local configuration (body position) and the time interval between applications. A loss of pressure occurred under each compression therapy, especially under inelastic short-stretch material, mainly due to movement and edema reduction. This pressure loss is decisive for the timing of dressing changes and a reason for the good tolerance of high-pressure levels in mobile patients. CONCLUSION: Low pressures are particularly suitable for edema reduction. Hemodynamic effects require higher pressures (60-80 mmHg). For this purpose, inelastic materials are preferred which enable lower pressures when lying down (40-60 mmHg). As compression bandages are too loosely applied by many users, pressure indicators on bandages or adaptive bandages with templates are helpful to apply the material with the correct pressure. As a consequence of these findings it is postulated that, at least in studies comparing different compression media, pressure measurements should be carried out in the future, whereby the measuring point and body position should be documented.
BACKGROUND: The pressure exerted by a compression device on a part of the body corresponds to the dosage of the compression therapy. Therefore, the pressure course under compression materials should be investigated in different clinical situations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pressure measurements were carried out under different compression materials in lying, standing and walking positions within the framework of training, self-experimentation and in patients with venous leg ulcers. RESULTS: The results showed that the pressure varied considerably depending on the material used, the firmness of application, the local configuration (body position) and the time interval between applications. A loss of pressure occurred under each compression therapy, especially under inelastic short-stretch material, mainly due to movement and edema reduction. This pressure loss is decisive for the timing of dressing changes and a reason for the good tolerance of high-pressure levels in mobile patients. CONCLUSION: Low pressures are particularly suitable for edema reduction. Hemodynamic effects require higher pressures (60-80 mmHg). For this purpose, inelastic materials are preferred which enable lower pressures when lying down (40-60 mmHg). As compression bandages are too loosely applied by many users, pressure indicators on bandages or adaptive bandages with templates are helpful to apply the material with the correct pressure. As a consequence of these findings it is postulated that, at least in studies comparing different compression media, pressure measurements should be carried out in the future, whereby the measuring point and body position should be documented.