A randomized controlled study (RCT) to investigate the topical effectiveness of PluroGel in healing venous and mixed aetiology leg ulcers. Patients with venous and mixed aetiology leg ulcers will be identified from hospital outpatient clinics. Willing patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be consented and assessed in line with standard care. Participants will be randomized at Week 2 to receive either topical PluroGel or Intrasite gel (an alternative topical hydrogel product) if inclusion criteria is met.
This will be a pilot, randomized, controlled, multi-center trial to determine the effectiveness of PluroGel in the reduction of size of wounds and reduction of slough covering the wound surface compared with Intrasite Gel. The primary objectives will be to evaluate the effectiveness of PluroGel compared with Intrasite Gel in the reduction of size of venous leg ulcers or mixed venous arterial aetiology. Also the reduction in the percentage of slough covering the wound bed in both groups will be compared. The secondary objective will be to evaluate patient comfort, satisfaction and acceptance of the hydrogels along with staff feedback of both hydrogels. Patients with either a venous leg ulcer (VLU) or an mixed venous arterial aetiology (MAU) leg ulcer will be identified by the participant's health care provider and will be treated with PluroGel or Intrasite Gel. A total of 40 subjects will be enrolled to the study, 20 to each arm. These subjects will be recruited from patients receiving treatment for wounds at NHS outpatient clinic. Participants will be approached initially by the NHS care-giver and asked if interested in participating in research. If interested, participants will be asked to sign a permission to contact form for contact details to be given to a member of the research team who would then contact the participant to provide further information. A screening log will be kept of all patients who have been considered but who do not fulfill the criteria for entry. Patients will be randomized to either Plurogel and standard care or Intrasite Gel in conjunction with standard care, on an equal basis. Subjects will be eligible for randomization if during the first two weeks within the study the target wound has not reduced in surface area by 30% or more and there has been a less than 25% reduction in the cover of the wound bed with visible slough. Once the subject has completed 4-weeks of treatment, and the final visit, or the target ulcer has healed, whichever is soonest, then the subject has completed the study and the termination form will be completed. The Investigator will ensure that all CRF forms are completed and accurate. The study end date will be the date of the last subject's last visit. The CI and study sponsor, will comply with any safety reporting obligations for serious adverse device related events to the manufacturer, study sponsor, R\&D Department(s) of the University Health Board(s) and the Ethics Committee, as defined in the applicable laws and regulations, and within the required timelines.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
16
Surfactant based gel
Hydrogel
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Newport, South Wales, United Kingdom
Cardiff & Vale University Health Board
Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Change in wound size
Comparison of change in wound surface area (cm2) over a 4 week assessment between baseline and final assessment in PluroGel treated group compared to Intrasite treated group.
Time frame: 4 weeks
Change in average percent reduction of slough in wound bed over 4 week treatment
Comparison of change in average percent reduction of slough present in the wound bed observed at baseline and over 4 week treatment period in PluroGel treated group compared to Intrasite treated group
Time frame: 4 weeks
Patient evaluation
Survey questions to report adherence to protocol of care, comfort, comparison with previous treatments, level of patient discomfort and pain during use of either PluroGel or Intrasite
Time frame: Up to 6 weeks
Staff evaluation
Survey to record staff feedback including ease of application and removal of both PluroGel and the comparator Intrasite.
Time frame: Up to 6 weeks
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