Setopress has been classified as a Type 3c `High Compression Bandage’. It consists of a woven bandage containing nylon and elastane yarns in the warp, and cotton yarns in the weft.
During the manufacturing process, the fabric is printed with a series of rectangles that change to squares as the bandage is stretched and the recommended application tension is achieved. One side of the bandage has brown squares, the other side has green squares. When applied to an average size leg in accordance with the technique described by the manufacturer and using the brown squares as a guide, the bandage will produce a pressure at the ankle of 40 mmHg. If the green squares are used, the pressure will be lower, approximately 30 mmHg. Setopress may be washed repeatedly without affecting its performance significantly.
Indications
Setopress is one of the most powerful compression bandages available, and is primarily intended for the application of controlled levels of pressure in the treatment of venous ulcers and other conditions where compression therapy is required. Because the bandage has the ability to `follow in’, or maintain compression on limbs as they decrease in circumference, it can be used to reduce existing gross oedema, unlike products made from cotton or lightweight nylon fabrics.
Contra-indications
As with all compression bandages, Setopress should not be applied to patients who have marked ischaemia or impaired arterial blood supply. The inappropriate use of the bandage in these situations could have very serious consequences. Setopress should not be applied to individuals with very thin legs (less than 18 cm circumference at the ankle).
Method of use
When using Setopress, some workers first apply a layer of padding to offer protection to bony prominences such as the tibial crest, the dorsum of the foot and the malleolus. During application, the leg should be positioned with the knee flexed and the foot at right angles. With the bulk roll facing upwards, the bandage is extended until the rectangles printed on the fabric become squares.
A single turn of bandage is made around the ankle, down over the top of the foot and around the base of the toes. A second turn is then made over the top of the foot and down to cover the heel. After making a further turn around the ankle, the application is completed with a simple spiral up the leg each layer overlapping the previous one by 50% effectively producing two complete layers. Once in place, the bandage may be fastened with tapes, or pins, as appropriate. Care should be taken not to produce a tourniquet effect at the knee, and the operator should ensure that a pressure gradient exists beneath the bandage, with the highest levels of pressure at the ankle.
Frequency of Change
Provided the bandage has been correctly applied and does not become displaced, it will continue to apply the desired levels of compression over an extended period.
Warnings
Because of the power inherent in Setopress and its ability to maintain high levels of compression over extended periods, care must be taken to ensure that the bandage is not applied with excessive tension. It is also important to ensure that the bandage is applied with no more than a 50% overlap, to do otherwise will result in the formation of excessive pressure which in turn may lead to areas of tissue damage.
Sizes
