SURGERY BULLETIN

Unna's Paste

Experience with Unna's paste over a period of 43 years has shown that it has great healing properties for patients

with chronic leg ulcers from different causes apart from ischaemic ulcers.

The paste may be used without preparation or following warming. It may be direcly applied to the ulcer and then the

ulcer is dressed or the paste may be applied to the dressing first. This latter is mandatory if the paste is

warmed before being applied.

The dressing is wrapped by an elastic pressure bandage and left for a variable period usually 5 days to a week;

but it may be removed after 3 days or be left for upto 10 days. The choice depends on the degree of infection

present and the size of the ulcer. Larger ulcers and those with more severe infection require dressings at shorter

intervals.

The constituents of the paste are published in the British Pharmacopaeia 1948, page 211 (It consists essentially of

zinc oxide and glycerine):

Synonym.    Unna's Paste.

or a sufficient quantity

to set.