1. DRESSINGS

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. Alginates
Hydrogel
Hydrophilic
Nonabsorbent

13. Hydrophobic
Hydrocolloid
Semi occlusive
Absorbent
Occlusive