METHODS

Design:

randomised controlled trial.

Allocation:

concealed.*

Blinding:

unblinded.*

Follow up period:

12 weeks.

Setting:

health centres and a regional hospital in Ireland.

Patients:

200 patients (mean age 71 y, 66% men) who had a venous leg ulcer (clinical evidence of venous disease, ankle:brachial pressure index ⩾0.9, and no other identifiable cause).

Interventions:

4 layer bandaging (n = 100) or usual care (n = 100). Dressings were done by community nurses. All nurses were trained in application of 4 layer bandaging. The bandages were designed to provide sustained external compression of 40 mm Hg at the ankle and consisted of a sterile …