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 m edian pressures recorded at the lower, middle and upper calf muscle in 16 v enous leg ulcer patients while sitting were 18, 20 and 14 mmHg, and for sta nding 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 tha n 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.