An evaluation of Actilite - Antibacterial non-adherent dressing with Activon Plus: Case study 2

This study was undertaken by Jivka Dimitrova - Tissue Viability Specialist Nurse. The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Case study 2

Elderly female patient with long term right leg ulceration

85 year old lady admitted to the stroke unit following right frontal CVA, past medical history of Peripheral Vascular Disease, left below knee amputation and long term right leg ulceration.

Initial presentation: 8cm x 2cm full thickness skin ulcer, just above right medial malleolus, 100% sloughy, surrounding skin irritated, inflamed, high exudate levels with offensive odour; chronic varicous eczema, hyperkeratosis and ulceration between 3rd and 4th toes due to fungal eczema. ABPI was within the acceptable range therefore compression bandaging therapy continued whilst Actilite was used as primary dressing to all ulcers and between toes. The aim of the dressing was to encourage desloughing, reduce bacterial load, reduce inflammation, and provide antifungal properties. Two and three weeks later, skin between the toes has healed and the fungal eczema cleared up, 60 - 70 % of the ulcer bed was clean and granulating, ulceration was reducing in size and depth, exudate levels were reduced considerably and there was no odour. At this point patient was transferred to a community hospital for rehabilitation.