Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised, quasi-randomised and controlled clinical trials were eligible for inclusion in the review if they included at least 10 participants.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies were eligible if they compared one or more advanced dressings (hydrocolloids, polyurethane, alginate, dextranomer, polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate, amino acid copolymer etc.) with conventional dressings (saline gauze, knitted viscose, paraffin gauze etc.) or other types of advanced dressings. The specific advanced dressings included in the review were hydrocolloids, polyurethane, hydrogel, dextranomer, polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate, amino acid copolymer and collagen.
Participants included in the review
Studies of patients with pressure ulcers were eligible for inclusion. Studies of patients with only stage I ulcers (non-blanching erythema) and those with other types of wound were excluded. The characteristics of the patients in the included studies were not described.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Studies measuring quantitative measures of outcome were eligible for inclusion. The primary review outcome was the proportion of healed ulcers. Withdrawals and adverse effects were also assessed.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
Two reviewers independently selected studies for inclusion in the review.