Smith & Nephew Viscopaste Pb7

Smith & Nephew Viscopaste Pb7

Viscopaste is a general purpose first-line treatment for wet and dry leg ulcers. Viscopaste bandages soothe and protect the skin and are easily removed. To augment the treatment, always cover the Viscopaste bandage with a suitable compression bandage (e.g. Tensopress#).

• Open weave bandage
• Impregnated with zinc paste
• Individually wrapped

• Easy to apply and remove
• Will not dry out
• Moist wound healing environment over an ulcer

• Comfortable and soothing
• Reduces skin irritation

• Easy identification
• Easy storage

Where venous insufficiency exists, Viscopaste PB7 may be used under graduated compression bandaging, after first assessing the patient to exclude arterial disease. The use of Doppler ultrasound is recommended for this purpose.

Compression bandaging should not be used on patients who have arterial disease (ABPI<0.8) and is not recommended for use on diabetic patients with advanced small vessel disease.>

Failure to detect reduced arterial flow can result in pressure necrosis, amputation, or even death. The risk of a patient having arterial as well as venous disease rises with age.

One of the functions of occlusive bandages is to increase absorption. Care should be taken, therefore, if it is decided to apply topical steroid, anaesthetic or retinoid preparations under the bandage, as their absorption may be significantly increased. This may lead to a shorter duration of effect of a topical anaesthetic product in addition to increasing the risk of sensitisation to these preparations.

The skin of leg ulcer patients is easily sensitised to topical medicaments - including preservatives. Sensitisation should be suspected in patients, particularly where there is deterioration of the surrounding skin. Such patients should be referred for specialist opinion.