The Observatoire en Ville des Plaies ExSudatives (VIPES) study: insight into the patient characteristics, epidemiology, previous management, and features of wounds treated in the French community setting.

Background: Wounds that become complex and hard-to-heal are a challenge for all health care systems. Identifying and understanding the nature of these wounds is necessary to allow appropriate intervention.

Objective: To present the epidemiological outcomes of the VIPES study.

Materials and methods: The prospective, observational VIPES study aimed to describe the use and investigate the performance of 2 wound dressings-a silicone foam and a gelling fiber-in the management of chronic and acute wounds in a community setting in France.

Results: Of 407 patients recorded, 285 were included in the analysis. The 184 chronic wounds included ulcers (venous/arterial/mixed, diabetic foot, and pressure) and malignant wounds. The 101 acute wounds included surgical and traumatic wounds. Of all wounds, 98.2% were exuding and 77.9% showed exudate pooling. Unhealthy wound edges and periwound skin were reported in 57.2% and 35.4% of wounds, respectively. Of all wounds, 78.6% were in treatment failure (poor exudate management or stagnant wound). The silicone foam dressing (n = 86) and the gelling fiber (n = 199) were generally used in wounds with low or moderate exudation, or moderate or high exudation, respectively.

Conclusions: The VIPES study highlights that wounds can be complex and that community care practices in France warrant improvement. Practical and up-to-date wound management recommendations are needed.