Category
|
Composition
|
Advantages/Disadvantages
|
Indications
|
Product
examples; Companies
|
For low
to moderate exudative wounds
|
|
|
|
|
Hydrocolloids
|
gelatin,
pectin, or polysaccharides like sodium carboxymethylcellulose,
and adhesive polymers
|
Advantages:
They can absorb excess of fluid and prevent bacterial proliferation. They can
be used to fill cavities.
Disadvantages:
Not recommended for infected wounds. Can leak excessive exudates and adhere
to the wound bed.
|
For use
on partial- and full-thickness dermal ulcers, superficial wounds and
abrasions, superficial and partial-thickness burns and donor sites.
|
Amerx; Amerx
Health Care
|
DermaFilm; DermaRite
|
DuoDerm CGF; ConvaTec
|
Tegasorb, Tegaderm;
3M
|
Comfeel Plus; Coloplast
|
Hydrogels
|
three-dimensional
networks of cross-linked hydrophilic water-insoluble polymers (like
cellulose) swollen with a high water content
|
Advantages:
They maintain the wound moisture and a cooling effect with pain relief.
Disadvantages:
Not recommended for very exudative wounds. Low absorptive capacity.
|
Dry wounds,
superficial burns, skin ulcers, graft donor sites.
|
AquaDerm; DermaRite
|
AquaSite; Derma Sciences
|
Derma-Gel,
Xcell; Medline Industries
|
Elasto-Gel; Southwest
Technologies
|
Films
|
polyurethane membranes of varying
thickness coated on one side with an adhesive acrylic.
|
Advantages:
They are impermeable to liquids and bacteria but permeable to moisture vapor
and gases.
Disadvantages:
Not recommended for exudative wounds, due to low absorptive capacity can
create a bacterial growth environment.
|
Superficial
burns, wounds an ulcers. Useful as secondary dressing and for skin donor
sites.
|
Bioclusive; KCI -Acelity
|
Cardinal
Health; Cardinal Health
|
DermaView; DermaRite
|
Kendall;
Medtronic
|
OPSITE;
Smith & Nephew
|
Foams
|
shapes of foamed polymer
solutions (most commonly polyurethane) with small, open cells capable of
holding fluids.
|
Advantages:
Clear the wound surface from exudates and contamination.
Disadvantages:
Not recommended for low exudative wounds, can dry the tissue.
|
chronic wound ulcers, burns,
heavy exudating wounds.
|
Advazorb Border; Advancis Medical
|
Aquacell Foam; ConvaTec
|
Allevyn; Smith & Nephew
|
CovaWound; Covalon
Technologies
|
Optifoam; Medline Industries
|
Restore
LITE Foam; Hollister Incorporated
|
For
exudative wounds
|
|
|
|
|
Alginates
|
non-woven
calcium or sodium alginate fibers derived from brown seaweed or kelp
|
Advantages:
Highly absorptive, non-occlusive dressings. Hemostatic.
Disadvantages:
May adhere to the wound if drying. Confusing color with
pus.
|
For use
on partial- and full-thickness draining wounds such as stage III-IV pressure
ulcers, dermal wounds, surgical incisions, tunneling wounds, sinus tracts,
and donor sites
|
Algicell; Derma Sciences
|
Algisite, Durafiber;
Smith & Nephew
|
Aquacel Extra, Kaltostat; ConvaTec
|
DermaGinate; DermaRite
|
Kalginate; DeRoyal
|
Maxorb; Medline Industries
|
Suprasorb; L&R USA
|
Hydrofibers
|
sodiumcarboxymethyl
cellulose fibers
|
Advantages:
Highly absorptive, non-occlusive dressings. More absorptive than alginates.
Disadvantages:
Need a scundary dressing.
|
For use
on partial- and full-thickness draining wounds such as stage III-IV pressure
ulcers, dermal wounds, surgical incisions, tunneling wounds, sinus tracts,
and donor sites
|
Aquacel, Versiva;
ConvaTec
|