Evaluation of Skin Tear healing outcomes utilising two differing wound dressing types.

INTERVENTION: This study assessed Skin Tear healing trends with the use of two differing wound dressing products which were used as part of standard practice to ascertain which product provided the best outcomes. These two dressings were Mepile XBorder (adhesive silicone foam dressing) and Mepitel (meshed silicone interface dressing). Both products are manufactured by the same company and fall into the generic category of soft silicone dressings and utilise what is called ‘Safetac Soft Silicone Technology’ (SSST). While they share the same SSST, they are completely different in terms of appearance, application, and usage. Mepile XBorder is a self‐adhesive waterproof dressing with foamlike like properties that absorb exudate and evaporate excess exudate (wound ooze) through the top of the dressing via moisture vapour permeability. The dressing contact layer (which sits on the skin) contains the SSST. When placed onto a skin tear this layer anchors the skin flap preventing movement. The absorptive pad absorbs the exudate preventing maceration of the flap and periwound area. Mepitel is a wound contact layer not unlike traditional tulle gras (paraffin coated open weave gauze) in appearance; however unlike this traditional dressing, Mepitel is wholly constructed with the SSST. This dressing is placed on a skin tear and the surrounding skin, the SSST anchors the skin flap to the surrounding skin and allows exudate to pass through the dressing. This dressing requires a secondary covering to be placed on top to absorb the exudate, for example a combine pad (cotton wool) and then a bandage to hold the dressing in place. Patients were randomised into two treatment arms with their Skin Tears dressed either with the adhesive silicone foam dressing or the meshed silicone interface d CONDITION: Injuries and Accidents ‐ Other injuries and accidents Skin ‐ Other skin conditions Skin Tears;Wound healing; ; Skin Tears ; Wound healing PRIMARY OUTCOME: The primary outcome is the is Skin Tear Healing, this is a clinical determination based on a composite assessment of skin flap quality, epithelial and granulation tissue regeneration.[Assessments will be undertaken after wound cleansing and prior to dressing application on day of recruitment, then at day 7, day 14 and finally day 21.] INCLUSION CRITERIA: Skin tears occurring on the arms Skin Tear STAR category 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3 Skin tears equal to or less than 100 cm2 area SECONDARY OUTCOME: Dressing product ‘fit for purpose’: ease of application. Assessed using likert scale.[Assessments will be undertaken on day of recruitment, then at day 7, day 14 and finally day 21, post‐dressing application.] Dressing product ‘fit for purpose’: maintains its integrity Assessed was dressing intact at review.[Assessments will be undertaken post recruitment at day 7, then at day 14 and finally day 21, prior to old dressing removal and wound cleansing.] Dressing product ‘fit for purpose’: manages exudate. Assessed using likert scale[Assessments will be undertaken post recruitment at day 7, then at day 14 and finally day 21, prior to old dressing removal and wound cleansing.] Patient experience: comfort of dressing. Assessed using likert scale.[Assessments will be undertaken on day of recruitment, then at day 7, day 14 and finally day 21, post‐dressing application.] Patient experience: effects on activities of daily activities. Assessed using likert scale.[Assessments will be undertaken on day of recruitment, then at day 7, day 14 and finally day 21, post‐dressing application.] Patient experience: overall satisfaction of the product[Assessments will be undertaken on day of recruitment, then at day 7, day 14 and finally day 21, post‐dressing application.] Patient experience: wound pain. Assessed using verbal response on pain scale 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst) pain can imagine.[Assessments will be undertaken on day of recruitment, then at day 7, day 14 and finally day 21, post‐dressing application.]