Laboratory Research
When a compression bandage is applied to the skin, the nature of the contact between the skin and the bandage is defined by the friction and the total contact area at a microscopic level. This relationship defines the ability of the bandage to stay in place, keep its shape and provide comfort as well as compress the tissue. Moreover, when applying a two-layer compression system, the friction between layers changes significantly when one or both of those layers are stretched. This influences the bandage compression, the consistency of pressure applied, and patient compliance.
Methods:
In this study, we calculated the work applied to the tissue by measuring the force-elongation of the individual layers of two compression systems in a bench test. A novel dual compression bandage system (DCS*) and another traditional two-layer bandage compression system (TLB*) were tested. The DCS* consists of two active compression layers with a pressure guide for accurate application. The TLB* consists of comfort and compression layers. The tensile test pulled up to the point where the pressure guide from the DCS* formed a perfect circle was used to calculate the work. For TLB*, the recommended maximum deflection was determined by following the theoretical manufacturer’s instructions.
Results:
The DCS* obtained a higher load (13.5 N ± 1.0 N vs. 10.1 N ± 1.4 N), and higher work than the TLB* (0.13 J ± 0 J vs. 0.09 ± 0.02). In compression bandages, work may be an important element to consider since it considers both the applied load and the stretch. This demonstrates the maintenance of the compressive work and includes all layers in a multiple-layer bandage system as we assume them to be additive.
Discussion:
We hypothesized that higher work is better for maintaining sustained compression. When a stretch material is stretched, it gets narrower. This narrowing causes a microscopic weave fabric interaction that locks the two layers together in a 3-dimensional scaffolding effect that stiffens the cross-section if the stretch remains. This becomes important with changing limb volume, particularly in the early stages of compression bandage application, where change is dramatic.
Trademarked Items: Dual compression bandage system (DCS*) =Urgo K2
Traditional two-layer bandage compression system (TLB*) =Coban 2
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