Topical zinc oxide treatment improves arterial and venous leg ulcers

Abstract

A randomized, double-blind study of the efficacy of locally applied zinc oxide on the healing of leg ulcers was performed. Geriatric patients, 19 with arterial and 18 with venous leg ulcers, were treated either with a gauze compress medicated with zinc oxide (400 .mu.g ZnO/cm2) or with an identical compress without zinc oxide. The treatment was assessed from ulcer size measurements and the presence or absence of granulation and ulcer debridement over a period of 8 wk. The zinc-treated patients (83% success rate) responded significantly better (P < 0.05) than the placebo-treated patients (42% success rate). Healing of leg ulcers is improved after the addition of zinc oxide to local regimen.