Wound Dressings

Question 1

Transparent Film Dressings

Use
Advantages
Disadvantages

Answer 1

Prophylaxis of friction damage; low exudate, shallow wounds; secondary dressings; IV catheter

• Advantages: Transparent, waterproof, gas permeable, maintain moisture, cheap, adhesive won’t stick to moisture, impermeable to bacteria
• Disadvantages: Non-absorptive, need proper removal, may roll up at high friction sites, IV films are not for wound sites, need intact skin border

Question 2

Hydrocolloid Dressings

Use
Advantages
Disadvantages

Answer 2

More absorbent than transparent films and forms gel upon contact with fluid

• Advantages: Comfortable, increased absorption, long wear time, waterproof, impermeable to bacteria
• Disadvantages: Won’t handle heavy exudate, impermeable to CO2 (therefore contraindicated in anaerobic infections), gel discolours, odorous, not transparent

Question 3

Hydrocellular (Foam) Dressings

Use
Advantages
Disadvantages

Answer 3

Used for wounds with heavy exudate (inflammatory phase, following debridement), packs deep cavity wounds, venous leg ulcers

• Advantages: Bacteria impermeable, very absorptive, won’t stick, can cut and shape
• Disadvantages: May not be self-adhesive, opaque, some not waterproof, may dry out low-exudate wounds

Question 4

Hydrogels

Use
Advantages
Disadvantages

Answer 4

Maintain and create a moist wound environment; facilitates autolytic debridement; gels/gel-permeated dressings

• Advantages: Hydrates nerve endings (decreases pain), comfortable, easy to use, non-adherent
• Disadvantages: Need secondary dressings, gels don’t absorb and dressings are minimally absorptive

Question 5

Alginate Dressings

Use
Advantages
Disadvantages

Answer 5

Dressings derived from brown seaweed used for packing (ropes) or cover (wound pads); used for heavily exudating wound and forms gel cover over top

• Advantages: Rope form is easy to pack, good wet strength
• Disadvantages: Need secondary dressing, not good for dry wound beds

Question 6

Enzymatic Debriders

Answer 6

Collagenase ointment that selectively digests necrotic tissue

Question 7

Antibacterial wound care products

Answer 7

• Cadexomer iodine (ointment or paste)
• Iodine impregnated dressings
• Silver-coated dressings
• Important thing is that these are absorbent and prevent bacterial infection

Question 8

What products are used to treat scars?

Answer 8

Silicone sheets or gels, but can take weeks to months to work

Question 9

What are adjunctive therapies to wound treatment?

Answer 9

Vacuum wound closure, electric stimulation, therapeutic ultrasound, surgery, acupuncture, tissue engineering, growth factors