II. Category
- Semiocclusive dressing or filler
III. Characteristics
- Absorptive
- Adhesive or non-adhesive
- Moisture retentive
IV. Indications
- Light to moderately exudative wounds
-
Autolytic Debridement
- Thin, stringy yellow eschar
- Dry necrotic eschar
- Infected wound (amorphous hydrogels such as Intrasite)
- Monitor wound daily if infected
- Filler for deep or extensive wounds
- Carrier for Topical Medications
- Type 2 to 4 Pressure Sores
V. Technique
- Change dressing every 5 to 7 days
- Apply gel
- Tongue blade
- Syringe (20 to 50 cc) filled with gel
- Cover wound site
- Gauze
- Foam Dressing (e.g. Lyofoam)
- Secure
- Transparent Film Dressing (e.g. Tegaderm)
- Paper tape
VI. Advantages
- Conformable
- Fills ulcer cavity to maintain moist healing environ
- Cooling, soothing Sensation and analgesia
- Assists Autolytic Debridement
VII. Disadvantages
- Requires moderate level of care
- Maceration of peri-wound edges
- Requires fixatives and dressings to hold in place
- Avoided in wounds with heavy exudate
- No trial data supporting use
- Secondary hypergranulation tissue may delay healing
- Leafy, friable beefy red tissue
- Remove with Silver Nitrate or Sharp Debridement
VIII. References
- Bello (2000) JAMA 283(6): 716-8 [PubMed]
- Degreef (1998) Dermatol Clin 16(2): 365-75 [PubMed]
- Findlay (1996) Am Fam Physician 54(5): 1519-28 [PubMed]
- Habif (1996) Clinical Derm, Mosby, p. 810-13
- Knapp (1999) Pediatr Clin North Am 46(6):1201-13 [PubMed]
- Krasner (1995) Prevention Management Pressure Ulcers
- Lewis (1996) Med-Surg Nursing, Mosby, p. 199-200
- Lueckenotte (1996) Gerontologic Nurs., Mosby, p. 800-7
- PUGP (1995) Am Fam Physician 51(5):1207-22 [PubMed]
- PUGP (1994) Pressure Ulcer Treatment, AHCPR 95-0653
- Way (1991) Current Surgical, Lange, p.95-108