Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

    In the article on the use of Hydrovase (Swiss-American Products, Inc., Dallas, Tex.) (Parnell LKS, Ciufi B, Gokoo CF. Preliminary use of a hydrogel containing enzymes in the treatment of Stage II and Stage III pressure ulcers. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2005;51(8):50-61), the authors noted that the blend of natural enzymes in Hydrovase enhance wound healing, distinguishing them from enzymes used for enzymatic debridement.

An ad for Ethezyme (Ethex Corp., Bridgeton, Mo.) that appeared within that article could cause some confusion for your readers because Ethezyme is an enzymatic debrider and not related to the kind of product being discussed in the article. Readers skimming the journal but not reading in detail could associate the published study with the Ethex product because enzymes are mentioned in both.

   Philip J. O’Neill, RPh
   Vice-President, Swiss-American Products, Inc.
 

Reply

   We are sorry if the coincidental placement of an ad for an enzymatic debrider within an article regarding a healing-enhancing enzyme (products of non-competitive companies) caused confusion. While advertisers may request ad placement that is far forward or on a right-hand page, the placement of most advertising is almost always dictated by space in a particular issue. For the record, ads for two other products also were placed within the hydrogel article.

   The Editors