Effectiveness of papain gel in venous ulcer treatment: randomized clinical trial

• Main Authors: Ana Luiza Soares Rodrigues, Beatriz Guitton Renaud Baptista de Oliveira, Débora Omena Futuro, Silvia Regina Secoli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade de São Paulo 2015-06-01
• Series: Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem
• Subjects: Úlcera de la Pierna; Papaína; Carboximetilcelulosa de Sodio; Cicatrización de Heridas; Ensayo Clínico; Enfermería
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-11692015000300458&lng=en&tlng=en
• ISSN: 1518-8345

OBJECTIVE: to assess the effectiveness of 2% papain gel compared to 2% carboxymethyl cellulose in the treatment of chronic venous ulcer patients.METHOD: randomized controlled clinical trial with 12-week follow-up. The sample consisted of 18 volunteers and 28 venous ulcers. In the trial group, 2% papain gel was used and, in the control group, 2% carboxymethyl cellulose gel.RESULTS: the trial group showed a significant reduction in the lesion area, especially between the fifth and twelfth week of treatment, with two healed ulcers and a considerable increase in the amount of epithelial tissue in the wound bed.CONCLUSION: 2% papain gel demonstrated greater effectiveness in the reduction of the lesion area, but was similar to 2% carboxymethyl cellulose gel regarding the reduction in the amount of exudate and devitalized tissue. Multicenter research is suggested to evidence the effectiveness of 2% papain gel in the healing of venous ulcers. UTN number: U1111-1157-2998