Sugar Paste for Treatment of Decubital Ulcers

Abstract

Objective:

To review the use of sugar paste in the treatment of decubital ulcers.

Data Sources:

A MEDLINE, IDIS, and current journal search of English-language articles published between 1978 and 1993 on sugar paste in the treatment of ulcers.

Study Selection:

Case reports, cohort, epidemiologic, in vivo, and in vitro studies were evaluated.

Data Extraction:

Reports using granulated sugar or derivatives in the treatment of refractory cutaneous ulcers were evaluated.

Data Synthesis:

All the studies show that sugar paste treatment has satisfactorily resolved decubital ulcers, although a wide variability in treatment length has been seen. Considering the likely mechanisms of action for sugar paste, this wide variability may be a result of dressing frequency. In other words, for sugar paste to be most effective it has to be applied in such a way that a continuous optimal sugar concentration in the ulcer is maintained. To achieve this, dressing frequency should not be standardized, but individualized according to ulcer type, depth, and exudate, as well as patient healing capacity. Healing could probably have been achieved earlier if dressing had been individualized. Besides effectiveness and low cost, sugar paste is also safe, with few adverse events associated with its use.

Conclusions:

In spite of difficulties in evaluating the use of sugar paste in treatment of decubital ulcers, it has been shown to be an effective therapy for this disorder. However, we recommend that length of treatment be individualized for each patient.