Mucopolysaccharide polysulphate cream in the prevention of pressure sores--a double blind study

Abstract

Early pressure areas in 38 cases (33 patients) were randomly treated twice daily with topical applications of either mucopolysaccharide polysulphate (MPS) or the cream base. The patients were assessed weekly for 4 weeks, the main parameter being change in the area of the pressure area. In the MPS group a significant reduction in size was obtained during the 2nd week of treatment, while in the control group a significant reduction was not obtained until week 4. At the end of the treatment, 59% (10/17) of the MPS group were fully healed compared with 21% (4/19) of the control group, the difference being statistically significant, p less than 0.05. MPS resembles heparin chemically, and the results could be attributed to an improvement in the microcirculation and nutrition of the perivascular tissue through an inhibition of microthrombi and perivascular fibrin deposition.