Preliminary observations on clotting under three hydrocolloid dressings

Four patients with five wounds were randomly assigned to treatment with three occlusive dressings: DuoDERM®, Restore® and Comfeel Ulcus®; the dressings were left intact for 24-48 h. When the dressings were removed, it was found that wounds that had been covered with Restore and Comfeel contained coagulated sanguinous material. Two wounds that had been covered with Comfeel and Restore, respectively, were then covered with DuoDERM, while one wound previously covered with DuoDERM was covered with Restore. Either no clotting occurred under DuoDERM or clots may have resolved. Although these preliminary data suggest that DuoDERM gel may have fibrinolytic properties, more extensive and controlled studies are needed to assess the characteristics of this dressing.