Hydropolymer dressings in the management of wound exudate.

In the UK the so-called 'foam' dressings are currently the most widely used absorbent dressings. They can, in certain cases, be particularly useful for the management of exuding wounds. One type of foam dressing--the Tielle hydropolymer adhesive dressing family (by Johnson & Johnson Wound Management)--is a range of five types of hydropolymer dressings: Tielle Original dressing, Tielle Lite dressing. Tielle Plus dressing, Tielle Borderless dressing and Tielle Packing dressing. The Tielle range shares a common basic composition that gives each dressing bacterial barrier properties and the capability of managing exudate by the combined process of absorption and moisture vapour transmission. Each type except Packing can be used as either a primary or as a secondary dressing. The choice should be based on the characteristics of the primary dressing, if any, on the degree of exudate that the wound is producing and on the condition of the surrounding skin. This article aims to give an overview of the Tielle range and a review of research-based clinical and scientific evidence to support the management of differing levels of exuding wounds in everyday clinical practice.