PENTOXIFYLLINE'S IMPACT ON VENOUS ULCERS: A RANDOMISED STUDY

Abstract

Objective:

To study the effect of pentoxifylline versus placebo on venous leg ulcers with and without compression therapy.

Methods and Methodology: 

Prospective study of factorial design, permitting the simultaneous evaluation of alternative pharmaceutical, bandaging, and dressings materials. The study took place at the Department of General Surgery, I.G.I.M.S., Patna. A total of 40 patients with confirmed venous ulcers were included, after excluding other major causal factors. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either pentoxifylline or placebo. The main outcome measure was the complete healing (full epithelialization) of all ulcers on the study leg.

Results:  

Among the patients receiving placebo, 10 out of 19 (53%) achieved complete healing, while among those receiving pentoxifylline, 14 out of 21 (64%) achieved complete healing.

Conclusions:

The study found no significant difference in healing rates between patients taking pentoxifylline and those receiving placebo.

Recommendation:

It is compression therapy that heals the ulcer, not the dressing, so wherever possible the primary dressing of choice should be a simple knitted viscose one. This recommendation may not apply if the wound has high levels of exudate or slough.