Table 1: Synthetic wound dressings available in the market and approved by the FDA.

 

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