Evaluation of Mesalt dressings and continuous wet saline dressings in ulcerating metastatic skin lesions.

The care of chronic ulcerating metastatic skin lesions is not well established or supported by research. Because these cancerous lesions may be present for many years, patients and their caregivers are confronted with ongoing dressing care to control and prevent odor, bleeding, drainage, and infection. Eleven patients in this study compared Mesalt dressings (Sancella Incorporated, Oakville, Ontario, Canada) with continuous wet saline dressings using a crossover design. Results indicated that Mesalt dressings received significantly higher ratings when compared with continuous wet saline dressings for ease of application and odor control and were significantly preferred by patients. No significant differences were found for ease of removal and comfort of the dressing. Neither were there any significant differences in the occurrence of clinical infection, number of dressing changes, and time spent for the care of the lesion. Mesalt dressings were more expensive than continuous wet saline dressings, but benefits may outweight the costs.