Comparison of high-pressure compression stockings and compression bandages for ulcer treatment in venous ulcer patients

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of compression bandages and compression stockings in the treatment of venous ulcers following venous ulcer surgery.

Method: A total of 170 patients who underwent venous ulcer surgery were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into two groups: the first group used compression bandages, and the second group used compression stockings. In all patients, a sterile cotton dressing from the venous ulcer care kit was first applied directly over the open ulcer to protect the wound bed. Both groups were followed for 3 months. Demographic and clinical characteristics such as age, gender, smoking status, hypertension, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and diabetes mellitus (DM) were recorded. Primary endpoints included changes in ulcer size, calf circumference, NPRS pain scores, and VCSS scores. Measurements were taken before treatment, at 1 week, at 1 month, and at 3 months. The data were statistically analyzed using appropriate methods.

Results: The results showed that the compression bandage group had a more significant reduction in ulcer size compared to the compression stocking group. The ulcer size in the bandage group decreased from 16.5 ± 2.2 cm² to 7.9 ± 5.1 cm² after 3 months, while in the stocking group, it reduced from 16.1 ± 1.8 cm² to 9.6 ± 3.1 cm² (p < .001). Additionally, the calf circumference showed a greater reduction in the bandage group, from 41.3 ± 1.9 cm to 35.3 ± 2.9 cm, compared to the stocking group, which showed a reduction from 40.7 ± 1.8 cm to 38.1 ± 2.4 cm (p < .001). NPRS pain scores also decreased more significantly in the bandage group, with scores dropping from 8.0 ± 1.1 to 2.9 ± 2.8, while the stocking group saw a decrease from 7.9 ± 1.2 to 5.4 ± 2.4 (p < .001). VCSS scores improved in both groups, but the bandage group showed a more marked improvement from 19.6 ± 5.1 to 5.2 ± 8.3 compared to the stocking group, which improved from 18.0 ± 5.1 to 7.1 ± 4.7 (p < .001).

Conclusion: The findings suggest that compression bandages may be more effective than compression stockings in the post-surgical treatment of venous ulcers, particularly in terms of reducing ulcer size, calf circumference, and pain, as well as improving VCSS scores. These results support the continued use of compression bandages as a primary treatment modality for venous ulcers following surgery.

Keywords: Compression therapy; bandages; compression stocking; venous insufficiency; venous ulcer.