Abstract
An understanding of the various properties of the many dressings on the market enables the clinician to select the appropriate dressing product for the patient’s wound. A comparative analysis of the ability of moist wound healing (MWH) products to absorb blood has not been previously reported. The aim of this study was to compare the rate and the maximal weight of blood absorbed, the ability of the dressings to retain blood within the dressing when under pressure, sheet integrity, and lateral wicking of the blood within the dressing. The MWH dressings tested included 12 ‘fibre’ dressings (alginates and hydrofibre) and 15 ‘absorptive’ (polyurethrane foams, hydroactive and combination products).
The most absorbent fibre dressings were Hydroheal Algin Firm, Sorbalgon, Cutinova Alginate, Kaltostat and Restore Calcicare, absorbing greater than 35g of blood per 100cm2 dressing. The least absorbent was Aquacel with 21.5g/100cm2 The integrity of the fibre dressings varied markedly from Sorbsan, which disintegrated, to Curasorb and Seasorb Alginates, which retained full strength. The rate of absorption of all fibre dressings was rapid (<18 seconds). Lateral wicking was least with Aquacel and greatest with Algoderm and Kaltostat.
The absorptive dressings showed a wide variation in absorptive capacity, from Flexipore which absorbed only 1.7g/100cm2 to Allevyn which absorbed 79.9g/100cm’ and Hydrasorb 79.4 g/100cm2. Under pressure, Cutinova Foam retained the greatest amount of blood. Rate of absorption varied dramatically between products, with Polymem Alginate, Polymem, Exu-dry, Biatain and Hydrasorb all taking less than 1 minute to absorb 1ml of blood, whilst seven dressings showed incomplete absorption after 30 minutes.

Abstract
Over the past decade there has been an explosion of scientific research and new products in the field of wound healing. Our primary care clinics in South Africa, however, make very little use of these new dressings, stating cost as the reason. We undertook a study in the burns clinic of the Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town to determine the cost implications of using a polyurethane film dressing (Omiderm®) for patients with small to intermediate-sized partial thickness burns in place of conventional daily silver sulfadiazine dressings. Twenty patients with partial thickness scald burns ranging from 1-15% total body surface area (TBSA) were included in the study. We demonstrated that by using Omiderm dressings we achieved an average saving of R260 (AU$47) per patient, a saving of over 60%. These results show not only the significant cost reduction that can be attained by using a new generation dressing such as Omiderm, but also demonstrate the considerable hidden costs of conventional dressings.

Abstract

Abstract
Pressure ulcers are localised areas of tissue breakdown affecting the skin and/or underlying tissues including subcutaneous fat and muscle. Applied pressure is a major factor in the aetiological process of pressure ulceration, although it is acknowledged that the exact mechanisms are complex and poorly understood. It is not known how external loads affect the tissues and how this eventually leads to tissue damage.
This paper reviews the key scientific literature with specific respect to how pressure affects different functional units of the tissues, namely though occlusion of blood vessels, impaired transport of nutrients through the interstitium and deformation of the cells.

Abstract