Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Medical Dressings

Advantages and disadvantages of different medical dressings
1. Gauze
Gauze dressings are made of woven or non-woven materials, mostly cotton materials, with multiple different shapes and sizes. It can be used for infected wounds, wound dressing and protection, wound exudate management, and wounds that require frequent dressing changes.
Advantages: cheap and easy to obtain. It can be used for any kind of wounds.
 Disadvantages: it needs to be replaced frequently, which increases the total cost; it may adhere to the wound bed; it needs to be used in combination with other types of dressings; it cannot meet the requirements of wet wound healing.
 2. Transparent dressing
 The transparent film dressing is semi-permeable, allowing oxygen and water vapor to pass through, while preventing the passage of water and bacteria. Usually made of polymeric materials such as polyurethane. It can be used for the fixation of equipment such as partial skin defects, skin donation areas, minor burns, stage I and stage II pressure sores, and intravenous infusion tubes.
Advantages: low price; good fit, can be used continuously on the wound for up to 1 week; help autolytic debridement; prevent friction of the wound bed; observe the wound without removing; maintain moderate humidity of the wound bed to prevent Bacterial contamination.
Disadvantages: It may adhere to some wounds; cannot be used for severely exuding wounds; the wound is sealed, which may cause the surrounding skin to macerate.
3. Bubble
 Foam dressings usually have a multi-layer structure, generally composed of an anti-adhesion wound contact layer, an exudate absorption layer, and a waterproof and antibacterial backing. It is not easy to adhere to the wound bed, does not form a sealed space, and has good absorption performance. Can be used for: pressure ulcer treatment and prevention, mild burns, skin transplantation, diabetic foot ulcers, skin donor sites, venous ulcers, etc.
Advantages: comfortable, non-adhesive wounds; high absorption performance; low frequency of dressing changes required; different shapes and sizes, convenient for different anatomical parts.
Disadvantages: may need to use two-layer dressing or tape to fix; when there is more exudation, if it is not replaced in time, it may cause the skin around the wound to soak; cannot be used for eschar or dry wounds; some foam dressings cannot be used for certain types Wounds, such as infected wounds or sinus wounds. The higher prices of imported products also limit their promotion.
4. Hydrocolloid dressing
The hydrocolloid dressing has a certain ability to absorb liquid, and contains colloidal particles, such as methyl cellulose, gelatin or pectin, which can be transformed into a jelly-like substance when in contact with the liquid. Hydrocolloid dressings generally have a strong viscosity, and require certain skills and follow the manufacturer's instructions when using them, such as indications and use time. Can be used for: burns, pressure sores, venous ulcers, phlebitis, etc.
Advantages: It can promote autolytic debridement; seal the wound bed to protect the wound; waterproof and block bacteria, prevent urine and feces pollution; has a moderate exudate absorption capacity.
Disadvantages: residues may be left on the wound bed, which can be mistaken for infection; the edges of dressings in areas prone to friction are easy to curl; it cannot be used when infection exists. After absorbing the exudate, the dressing partly turns white, which may cause misunderstanding. If the dressing is very sticky, it may cause skin damage if the dressing is still very sticky if it is removed after a short time.
5. Alginate dressing
The alginate dressing consists of extracts of brown seaweed. Can be woven or non-woven structure. It has a strong ability to absorb exudate, and it will become gelatinous when it comes into contact with exudate. Can be used for: venous ulcers, sinus wounds, severely exuding wounds.
Advantages: strong absorption capacity; can be used for infected wounds; non-adhesive wounds; promote autolytic debridement.
Disadvantages: a two-layer dressing must be used; it may cause dehydration and dryness of the wound bed; misuse of the exposed tendons, key capsules or bones will cause these tissues to dry and necrosis. When used in sinus or underneath, if staying in the wound bed for too long, the alginate dressing has completely turned into a gel. Some products have difficulty in taking out and need to be rinsed with normal saline.
6. Hydrogel medical dressing
Divided into sheet hydrogel dressings and amorphous hydrogel dressings, the water content is very large, often exceeding 70%, so the exudate absorption capacity is poor, but it can actively provide moisture to dry wounds. Tablet hydrogels are mainly used in the late stage of wound healing, such as the prevention and treatment of epithelial or phlebitis, and the treatment of extravasation of chemotherapeutic drugs. The effect is very good; amorphous hydrogels are also called debridement gels. It is mainly used to assist autolytic debridement and softening of eschar. Major dressing manufacturers have similar products. Although the ingredients may be slightly different, the effect is basically the same. It is a commonly used dressing in clinical practice.
Advantages: It can actively replenish water to dry wounds and maintain moist healing conditions; it does not adhere to the wound; and promotes autolytic debridement.
 Disadvantages: the price is higher.
7. Composite medical dressing
 The composite medical dressing can be combined by any kind of dressing, such as a combination of oil gauze and foam, or a combination of alginate and silver ion dressing, and can be used as a one-layer dressing or a two-layer dressing. Depending on the type of dressing, it can be used for a variety of wound types.
Advantage: easy to use;
Disadvantages: higher price, lower cost performance; lower indication flexibility.
 As your wound management experience increases, you will find that your ability to control different types of dressings also improves. After understanding the characteristics and indications of different types of dressings, the efficiency and effectiveness of wound treatment can be improved. Close monitoring can also broaden the indications of dressings. For example, in practice, some doctors use hydrocolloid dressings to seal venous ulcer wounds with more fibrin deposits, and use hydrogels to soften necrotic tissue and cellulose deposits in the wound bed so that it is easy to use. Debridement. Each wound specialist should master and be familiar with different types of dressings to form his own dressing arsenal.