

8 Hydrocolloids can be used for abrasions, postoperative wounds, smaller and more superficial pressure ulcers, burns, and graft donor sites. 7 Hydrocolloid dressings can be worn for several days before changing, a feature that decreases supply costs, inconvenience, and local trauma associated with dressing changes. The sheet form has an external semipermeable layer and an internal layer of hydrophilic carboxymethylcellulose molecules suspended in a hydrophobic mass of gelatin and pectins.

Both are made of carboxymethylcellulose, gelatin, and pectins. Hydrocolloid dressings are produced in two forms: a sheet form and a hydrocolloid gel. Patients with fragile skin, including the elderly or patients with cutaneous atrophy, should decrease the frequency of dressing changes or avoid films altogether.
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The adhesive backing on films may potentially damage the new epidermis or uninvolved skin that comes in contact with it. 6 Films are therefore not ideal in superficial wounds with more than scant wound exudate. 6 Films are not absorptive dressings, and skin surrounding the wound may macerate if fluid is allowed to collect under the film. They are gas permeable and suitable for delicate and minimally exudative wounds. Films are thin, elastic, transparent polyurethane dressings that provide a barrier to shield from bacterial invasion. Superficial wounds, including thin burns, catheter sites, partial thickness, and epidermal skin graft harvest sites, often require a basic practical dressing. In superficial wounds, the damage is generally limited to the epidermis: moisture retentive dressings, either occlusive or semiocclusive, help promote reepithelialization Additional investigations are underway that incorporate biologic material such as stem cells into dressings.Įxamples of Hydrocolloids in another columnĮxamples of hydrogels and PMDS (see previous columns)Īctiosorb Silver 220 (Johnson and Johnson) These dressings are engineered to detect changes in a wound environment and alert the patient or practitioner by altering the color of the dressing or sending a message to a smartphone. Newer dressings are incorporating the use of nanotechnology by incorporating miniature electrical sensors into the dressing.

Choosing the correct dressing decreases time to healing, provides cost-effective care, and improves patient quality of life.įuture Directions: Research into the mechanisms of wound healing has enhanced our ability to heal chronic wounds at a faster rate through the use of moisture-retentive dressings. In addition, dressings have been designed to target and kill infection-causing bacteria, with the incorporation of antimicrobial agents.Ĭritical Issues: Chronic wounds are frequently dynamic in presentation, and the numerous wound dressings available make dressing selection challenging for the practitioner. Recent Advances: Researchers have sought to design wound dressings that aim to optimize each stage in the healing process. The identification of optimal dressings to use for a particular wound type is an important element in facilitating wound healing. Fundamental wound characteristics may be used to guide the practitioner's choice of dressings. Significance: Chronic wounds are a major healthcare burden.The practitioner should have an appropriate understanding of both the etiology of the wound as well as the optimal type of dressings to use.
