DRESSINGS

DRESSINGS Provides ideal environment for wound healing Mimics the barrier role of epithelium and prevents further damage Provides hemostasis and limits edema Controls the level of hydration and oxygen tension within the wound Allows transfer of gases and water vapor from the wound surface to the atmosphere

DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS OF WOUND DRESSINGS Promote wound healing Conformability Pain control Odor control Non allergenic and non irritating Permeability to gas Safety Nontraumatic removal Cost efffectiveness convenience

CLASSIFICATION OF DRESSINGS Primary – placed directly on the wound and may provide absorption of fluids and prevent dessication, infection, and adhesion of a secondary dressing Secondary – placed on a primary dressing for further protection, absorption, compression and occlusion

ABSORBENT DRESSINGS Absorb without getting soaked Designed to match the exudative properties of the wound and may include cotton, wool, and sponge.

NONADHERENT DRESSINGS Impregnated with paraffin, petroleum jelly, or water soluble jelly for use as nonaddherent coverage Secondary dressing must be placed on top to seal edges to prevent dessication and infection

OCCLUSIVE AND SEMI OCCLUSIVE DRESSINGS Provide good environment for clean, minimally exudative wounds Waterproof and impervious to microbes, but permeable to water vapor and oxygen

HYDROPHILIC AND HYDROPHOBIC DRESSINGS Components of a composite dressing Hydrophilic – aids in absorption Hydrophobic – waterproof and prevents absorption from light to heavy wounds

HYDROCOLLOID AND HYDROGEL DRESSINGS Combination of occlusion and absorbency Form complex structures with water and fluid absorption occurs with particle swelling, which aids in atraumatic removal of dressing Hydrocolloid - for light to moderate acute and chronic wounds Hydrogel - for burns(including those caused by radiation) skins tears, surgical wounds, and pressure ulcers.

ALGINATES From brown algae with polysaccharides containing mannuronic and glucoronic acid Polymers gel, swell and and absorb great deal of fluid Used when there is skin loss, in open surgical wounds with medium exudation and on full thickness chronic wounds for moderate to heavy wounds, because of their superior absorption ability

MEDICATED DRESSINGS Used as drug-delivery system, agents like benzoyl peroxide, zinc oxide, neomycin, and bacitracin-zinc Shown to increase epithelialization by 28% Used depends on the amount of wound drainage

Alginates Hydrogel Hydrophilic Nonabsorbent

Hydrophobic Hydrocolloid Semi occlusive Absorbent Occlusive