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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2015 May-Jun;23(3):458-65.
doi: 10.1590/0104-1169.0381.2576. Epub 2015 Jul 3.

Effectiveness of papain gel in venous ulcer treatment: randomized clinical trial

[Article in English, Portuguese, Spanish]
Ana Luiza Soares Rodrigues  1 , Beatriz Guitton Renaud Baptista de Oliveira  2 , Débora Omena Futuro  3 , Silvia Regina Secoli  4
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effectiveness of papain gel in venous ulcer treatment: randomized clinical trial

[Article in English, Portuguese, Spanish]
Ana Luiza Soares Rodrigues et al. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2015 May-Jun.

Abstract

Objective: to assess the effectiveness of 2% papain gel compared to 2% carboxymethyl cellulose in the treatment of chronic venous ulcer patients.

Method: randomized controlled clinical trial with 12-week follow-up. The sample consisted of 18 volunteers and 28 venous ulcers. In the trial group, 2% papain gel was used and, in the control group, 2% carboxymethyl cellulose gel.

Results: the trial group showed a significant reduction in the lesion area, especially between the fifth and twelfth week of treatment, with two healed ulcers and a considerable increase in the amount of epithelial tissue in the wound bed.

Conclusion: 2% papain gel demonstrated greater effectiveness in the reduction of the lesion area, but was similar to 2% carboxymethyl cellulose gel regarding the reduction in the amount of exudate and devitalized tissue. Multicenter research is suggested to evidence the effectiveness of 2% papain gel in the healing of venous ulcers. UTN number: U1111-1157-2998.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Evolution of venous ulcer area according to treatment group. Niterói, RJ, Brazil, 2014
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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