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Aim:

Coating of wound dressings may prevent their adherence to the wound surface which otherwise would disrupt the wound bed and destroy newly formed, healthy tissue on removal. This happens for example often with simple gauze pad. We have evaluated the adhesion disposition of aluminium-coated dressings in vitro.

Method:

Three aluminium-coated dressings* were tested. For measurement of the adhesion disposition, a gelatine-based tissue substitute with fibrinogen/thrombin layer was prepared. Dressing samples were cut corresponding to 3x4cm and fixed to a plaster with holding noose for the force gauge. Only the dressing area posing the padding zone was employed for testing. Cotton gauze was treated in the same manner and used as positive control. Evaluation of the adhesion disposition was done by measurement of the force necessary to remove the dressing from the tissue substitute.

Results / Discussion:

Significantly lower removal forces were needed to detach the dressing samples* from the tissue substitute compared to the positive control cotton gauze. The following order of removal forces for the different dressings was found: cotton gauze (0.72N) >> compress (0.11N) > trachea compress (0.07N) > sheet (0.03N). In accordance, the adhesion disposition determined for the aluminium-coated dressings* was significantly lower than that of cotton gauze pads.

Conclusion:

The adhesion disposition of dressings with an aluminium coating could be quantified and evaluated using a special tissue substitute. It could be shown that the aluminium-coated dressings* tested demonstrated a significantly lower adhesion than simple cotton gauze pads.

BACKGROUND

Removal of nonvital tissue is an accepted method to eradicate biofilms and to stimulate wound healing. Debridement using a monofilament polyester fiber pad has clinically been shown to be effective as well as pain and trauma free.

METHODS

For in vitro determination of the cleansing capacity of this product compared to gauze swabs, a wound debridement model was used with glass plates coated with a bovine serum albumin solution, stained with hematoxylin. Both products were moistened and fixed to a weight connected to a regulated motor and were then pulled over the holding device with the coated glass plate under standardized conditions (power = 0.067 N/cm2, velocity = 1.6 cm/s).

RESULTS

At a low coating concentration (0.5%) both products were equally effective, but at a high concentration (1.5%) cleansing did not occur after 5 wipes. When wiping the plates 15 times, the debridement pad cleansed significantly (p < 0.001) better than gauze. When consecutively wiping 4 coated plates with a single debridement pad or swab, the pad exhibited and maintained a significantly higher cleansing capacity while gauze quickly lost its effect.

CONCLUSION

Our in vitro test results indicated a higher cleansing capacity of the debridement pad compared to gauze swabs.

UNLABELLED

Compression therapy is a key component in the effective management of people with lower limb problems associated with venous, lymphatic and fat disorders such as lipoedema. Individuals with lymphoedema, venous ulceration and lipoedema often require long-term compression therapy to prevent and manage problems such as chronic ulceration and skin changes, persistent swelling and shape distortion. Challenges remain in achieving acceptable, safe, effective and cost-efficient compression therapy choices. Adjustable compression wrap devices using hook and loop fasteners, commonly called VELCRO brand fasteners, present new opportunities for improving treatment outcomes, supporting patient independence and self-management in the use of compression therapy. This paper reports the findings of an evidence review of adjustable compression wrap devices in people with lymphoedema, chronic oedema, venous ulceration and lipoedema.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Continuing preventative treatment once a venous ulcer is healed is fraught with dangers, with the most common problem being the inability of the wearer or their carer to apply compression therapy. A new novel compression modality has been introduced to solve the dilemma of applying compression once an injury has healed. This compression is also time-saving for practitioners who wish to heal leg ulcers. This will have an impact on the time restrictions of practice and district nurses-who have a 10-15 minute slot to dress and bandage their patients' venous ulcers.