COMPARISON OF THE CHARACTERISTICS AND FEATURES OF PRESSURE GARMENTS USED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF BURN SCARS

Two companies provide custom-made pressure garments to clients with bu rn scars at Westmead Hospital. This prospective study was completed in order to make objective decisions about which garments were most appr opriate and cost effective to provide to clients. Issues such as cost, durability, fit and client preferences were investigated. Data were c ollected from 43 clients; at the time of initial fitting, at a follow- up appointment 4-6 weeks later, and at the time one of the garments re quired replacement. One Second Skin and one Jobst garment were provide d to each client and the garments were compared using therapists' eval uation and clients' perspectives on a number of variables. Second Skin garments had significantly more favourable results on the variables o f time for delivery, fit at follow-up, garment design, quality of fabr ic and seams, overall satisfaction and garment preference for ongoing wear. On all other variables there was no significant difference betwe en the garments. Second Skin provided the most optimal and appropriate option for pressure garments in the management of burn scars for our clients. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd for ISBI. All rights reserved.