Clinical Evidence

DuoDERM® Dressings

The use of DuoDERM® Dressings has proven advantages to support wound healing within a protocol of care.

DuoDERM® Dressings are associated with improved healing in chronic wounds as compared to traditional dressings and other hydrocolloid dressings.

Day, et al. 1995

There is evidence that wound improvement is more likely with GranuFLEX® and DuoDERM® Dressings than other hydrocolloids in the management of pressure sores.

In a prospective, controlled multicenter clinical study of 52 patients it was observed that:3

41 of 52 patients had improved wounds when DuoDERM® dressings were used as compared with 31 of 51 patients managed with Tegasorb™a (a hydrocolloid dressing).

Singh, et al. 2004

In a meta-analysis of the randomized controlled trials (RCT) on hydrocolloid occlusive dressings versus conventional gauze in the healing of chronic wounds: 4

Analysis of the 11 papers that met the inclusion criteria found that complete healing occurred in 51% of ulcers in the hydrocolloid group as compared to 38% in the conventional group.


A review of economic studies in wound care management demonstrated that GranuFLEX® and DuoDERM® Dressings can reduce the overall cost of care and is cost-effective for the management of pressure sores and leg ulcers.

A review of economic studies in wound care management demonstrated that GranuFLEX® and DuoDERM® Dressings can reduce the overall cost of care and is cost-effective for the management of pressure sores and leg ulcers.

Kerstein, et al. 2001

A cost study by Kerstein et al 5 concluded that:

The cost per venous ulcer healed over 12 weeks was lower for GranuFLEX® and DuoDERM® Dressings than impregnated gauze dressings.

GranuFLEX® and DuoDERM® Dressings were more cost-effective than competitor hydrocolloids and saline gauze in the treatment of pressure ulcers over a 12 week period

European pressure ulcer guidelines

The European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP) and The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) guidelines recommend the usage of hydrocolloids for the management of pressure ulcers.

Category/stage 1: Intact skin with non-blanchable redness of localized area, usually over a bony prominence. Darkly pigmented skin may not have visible blanching; its color may differ from the surrounding area.

"Consider using hydrocolloid dressings to protect body areas at risk for friction injury or risk of injury from tape. (Strength of Evidence=C)"

Category/stage 2: Partial thickness loss of dermis presenting as a shallow open ulcer with a red/pink wound bed, without slough. It may also present as an intact or open/ruptured serum-filled blister.

"Use hydrocolloid dressings for clean Category/Stage II pressure ulcers in body areas where they will not roll or melt. (Strength of Evidence=B)"

a Tegasorb™ is a trademark of the 3M Company.