Evaluation of Compression under an Elastic Tubular Bandage Utilised as an Introduction to Compression Therapy in the Treatment of Venous Leg Ulcers

Objective: To investigate the physical parameters of an elasticated tubular bandage (Tubigrip) on the leg and in durability studies. Design and setting: Cohort studies. Participants: Six healthy volunteers and 16 patients. Main outcome measure: Sub-bandage pressure. Results: Median pressures recorded under the Tubigrip bandage system at the lower, middle and upper calf muscle in 6 healthy volunteers, while sitting were 26, 25 and 12.5 mmHg, and for standing were 32, 40 and 16 mmHg. The median pressures recorded at the lower, middle and upper calf muscle in 16 venous leg ulcer patients while sitting were 18, 20 and 14 mmHg, and for standing were 32.5, 29.5 and 18 mmHg. Tubigrip durability studies demonstrated no decrease in sub-bandage compression over 8 days when applied to a model leg and volunteer leg. However, sub-bandage pressure decreased by more than 29% when the bandage was subjected to four wash-dry cycles. Conclusions: The pressures measured under Tubigrip were consistent with the ranges seen in other compression therapies. Laundering reduced the applied sub-bandage pressure.