Kerraboot®: A Potential Step Forward for Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Other Chronic Wounds
The Kerraboot® is available in two sizes, with either a clear or opaque film.
Photo courtesy of Ark Therapeutics.
A boot-like dressing with a simple pull-on design is used to treat chronic wounds on the lower legs and feet.
How It Works
The Kerraboot® dressing maintains a moist, humid environment, which is optimal for wound healing.[1] Exudate, or discharge, that remains on a wound can delay healing. The Kerraboot allows exudate to drain away from the wound and into the absorbent pad, where it forms a soft, conformable gel at the base of the boot. Kerraboot also reduces wound odour. Some wounds may require daily boot changes, while others may be changed less frequently, depending on the amount of exudate. Kerraboot may reduce nursing staff time for wound care and enable patients to change their own dressings at home. Dressing changes are also less painful, as the wounds are not covered by contact dressings.[2]
Who Might Benefit?
Diabetic foot ulcers are a common complication, affecting about 15% of individuals with diabetes at least once in their lifetime.[2] These ulcers often fail to heal and may become infected or gangrenous, which may lead to amputation. According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, over two million Canadians have diabetes.
Kerraboot can also be used for pressure ulcers and for venous leg ulcers when compression therapy is contraindicated or not tolerated. Chronic wounds have a tremendous impact on the affected individual and incur considerable health care costs.[2]
Regulatory Status
Kerraboot has been available in the UK since 2003.[2] It was recently launched in the US, but is not yet available in Canada.
Cost
Ark Therapeutics reports that the UK Drug Tariff or reimbursement price for Kerraboot is £14.27 each. The US price is US$35.
Evidence
A randomized controlled trial compared 14 adult participants who received Kerraboot with 16 participants who received a hydrocellular foam dressing (Allevyn®) for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.[3] Wound healing rates were similar in both groups, but staff time for dressing changes was shorter in the Kerraboot group (median time, five minutes) compared with the Allevyn dressing (10 minutes). After the first weekly visit, 87.5% of the Kerraboot group and 62.5% of the Allevyn group were able to change their own dressings.
Kerraboot appears to reduce nursing care time for chronic wounds. Further evidence that it can reduce wound care costs or improve patients’ quality of life is still needed.
References
[1] Assessment and management of foot ulcers for people with diabetes. Toronto: Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO); 2005. Available: http://www.rnao.org/bestpractices/PDF/BPG_Assessment_Foot_Ulcer.pdf