eusol and Anemia--Sickle-Cell

In order to assess the reported efficacy of natural honey in the healing of chronic ulcers, the efficacy of locally applied natural honey was compared to that of Eusol solution in an open trial involving 20 patients with sickle cell anaemia (SS) who were in steady clinical states and had chronic leg ulceration. All patients were admitted to hospital for the 4 week duration of the trial for bed rest, daily aseptic dressings, and weekly measurement of the size of the ulcer. Fifteen patients with a total of 19 leg ulcers were evaluable at the end of the trial. Eleven ulcers were dressed with honey while 8 were dressed with Eusol. No significant differences were found in rates of healing of the ulcers in either treatment groups. This trial does not support the suggestion that natural honey is superior to Eusol in the healing of chronic sickle cell leg ulceration.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anemia, Sickle Cell; Borates; Chronic Disease; Female; Honey; Humans; Leg Ulcer; Male; Sodium Hypochlorite

A randomized controlled trial of Solcoseryl, DuoDerm and conventional conservative therapy with Eusol has been performed in 32 patients with homozygous sickle-cell (SS) disease. After 12 weeks' baseline observation, patients were randomized to one of three therapies and monitored for a further 12 weeks. Of 44 ulcerated legs, 20 received control treatment, 12 Solcoseryl and 12 DuoDerm. DuoDerm was generally unacceptable, and two-thirds of the patients defaulted from this treatment. Solcoseryl increased ulcer healing compared to the controls but the difference was not significant. Solcoseryl was well tolerated and may have a role in the treatment of chronic leg ulcers of sickle-cell disease.

Topics: Actihaemyl; Adult; Anemia, Sickle Cell; Anti-Infective Agents; Bandages, Hydrocolloid; Borates; Chronic Disease; Colloids; Humans; Leg Ulcer; Occlusive Dressings; Sodium Hypochlorite

Twenty five (17 male, 8 Female) sickle cell disease patients with 30 leg ulcers were studied over a 3 year period (January 1985 to December 1987) to provide information on the pathogenesis, course and management. There were 23 patients with homozygous sickle cell and 2 patients with sickle cell haemoglobin C disease. The mean age was 28 years (range 15-44 years). An antecedent history of trauma was obtained in 40% of the patients and 96% had a previous history of leg ulcer. The major site affected (93%) was the skin around the malleoli. In 68% of the patients a single organism was isolated and the commonest bacteria were Pseudomonas species, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus species and B haemolytic streptococci. The major complications encountered were equinovarus deformity (36%) and chronic periosteitis (32%). The main topical antimicrobial used was Eusol either alone (52%) or in combination with Metronidazole (32%) or honey (12%). Complete healing occurred in 40% of patients, partial healing with deterioration in 16% and no significant change in 44%. Admission and bed rest were the best determinants of complete healing of the chronic ulcers.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Anemia, Sickle Cell; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Borates; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Ghana; Honey; Hospitals, Teaching; Humans; Leg Injuries; Leg Ulcer; Male; Metronidazole; Risk Factors; Sodium Hypochlorite; Wound Healing; Wound Infection