[Experimental in vitro evaluation of the absorption capacity and control of exudate of 3 wound healing dressings].

INTRODUCTION

The development of materials based in moist wound healing has meant an important step in wound care. The progressive development of knowledge referred to this issue has showed the importance of the management of wound exudate to obtain an optimal wound healing, which has concluded in a development of dressings orientated to manage exudate.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

Experimental "in vitro" study to evaluate the absorption capacity and exudate management of three moist wound healing dressings, Allevyn Adhesive (dressing A), CombiDERM (dressing B) and Tielle (dressing C). For each of this dressings the following parameters have been assessed: rate between the total surface and the absorption surface of the dressing, volume needed to saturate the retention capacity, pH evolution on the absorption surface and macroscopic aspect.

RESULTS

Dressing A presents the major value in the rate between the total surface and the absorption surface (with a 64% rate, versus 28.7% for dressing B and 40.5% for dressing C). Dressing B was the one which needed a major quantity of exudate to saturate, with statistical significant differences versus dressings A and C (0.51 ml/cm2 versus 0.40 and 0.37 respectively). Dressing B was also the one that presented a best performance in reference to the leakage of exudate under pressure (with a loss of its initial weight of 8.34%, versus dressing C with a loss of 9.48%, and dressing A with a loss of 24.42%). None of the dressings presented pH modifications in the absorption surface.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study let us establish that according to the used experimental evaluation methodology and the limitations that have been described in the manuscript, the dressing which presents the best performance in reference to absorption capacity and management of wound exudate is dressing B (CombiDERM) followed by dressing A (Allevyn Adhesive) and dressing C (Tielle). Experimental and clinical research will be required to examine thoroughly the absorption capacity and management of wound exudate of these dressings.