Types Examples Indications Advantages Disadvantages Contraindications

Synthetic fibre Topper Only use on minor More absorbent Often sticks to Moderate to heavily
gauze wounds or as than cotton. Do wound surface exudating wounds
secondary not shed fibres and disrupts
dressings wound bed when
removed.
Creates a dry
wound

Island Primapore Acute surgical Absorbs excess Unable to absorb Moderate to highly
dressings Mepore incisions. wound fluid, high amounts of exudating wounds
slightly absorbant Opsite post op Wounds healing maintain a sterile exudates
non-adherent pad Compose by primary environement Removal may
with an adhesive intention or low and provides a cause trauma to
cover exudating wounds protective barrier surrounding tissue
against further
trauma

Semi- OpSite, Superficial Some moisture Exudate may pool, Moderate to high
permeable Tegader m wounds.As a evaporation, may be traumatic exudative wounds.
thin, adhesive, secondary Reduces pain. to remove.
transparent dressing. Barrier to external
polyurethrane film contamination.
Allows inspection.

Non adherent Jelonet, Wounds healing Reduces adhesion Does not absorb Allergy to paraffin
Moist (Tulle Gras Interpose by secondary to wound. Moist exudate. Requires products
Dressing) Gauze Unitulle intention, environment aids secondary Allergy to silicone
impregnated with Cuticern superficial clean healing. dressing. May products
Mepitel (silicone)
paraffin or similar. wounds promote
hypergranulation

Non adherent Bactigras Burns. Reduces adhesion Does not absorb Allergy
Moist for Xeroform Contaminated or to wound. Moist exudate.Requires
contaminated infected wounds environment aids secondary
wounds Gauze healing. dressing May
impregnated with Antiseptic therapy induce allergy or
antiseptics or in contaminated delay healing
antibiotics or infected when
wounds impregnated

Non adherent Melolin Wounds with Low wound Not suitable in Dry wounds (may
Dry Thin Melolite moderate adherence. high exudate cause tissue
perforated plastic Tricose exudates May absorb light (except exu-dry & dehydration)
film coating Exu-dry Epidermal wounds exudate. mesorb). Can dry
attached to Mesorb or wounds healing out and stick to
absorbent pad by primary wound. May
intention require secondary
dressing

The Royal Childrens Hospital Melbourne April 2012

Types Examples Indications Advantages Disadvantages Contraindications

Calcium Kaltostat Moderate to high Forms gel on May require Kaltostat not
exuding wounds
Alginate. Natural Sorbsan, wound keeping secondary suitable for use in
and for wounds
polysaccharide AlgiSite M with minor environment dressing. infants less than 12
from seaweed bleeding. moist. Reduces Gel can be months
Chronic wounds: pain. confused with Dry wounds or hard
leg ulcers,
Packs cavities. slough or pus in eschar
pressure ulcers,
diabetic ulcers Absorbent in wound. Sensitivity
Acute wounds: exudative
donor sites, wounds.
abrasions
Haemostasis.

Foam - PolyMem Wounds with mild Moist wound Will not debride Dry wounds.
Polyurethane Allevyn to moderate enviroment, highly hard exudate Necrotic wounds or
foam dressing, Hydrasorb exudate. absorbent and hard eschar.
some with Mepilex protective
Mepilex border
adhesive layer Permeable to
Allevyn cavity
incorporated oxygen and water
vapour

Hydrocolloid Duoderm Burns Waterproof. Avoid on high Dirty wounds

Polyurethane film Comfeel (small)Abrasions Conforms well to exudate wounds Infection
coated with Coloplast sheet wound. Gel mistaken for Wounds where
adhesive mass Gel formation wound infection muscle, tendon or,
provides moist bone exposed
wound enviroment If wound requires
frequent changes

Hydrogel Intrasite gel Necrotic or Creates optimal Potential to Moderate to heavily

Composed mainly Intrasite sloughy wound moist environment macerate exudating wounds
of water in a conformable rehydrating surrounding tissue
Alllergy
complex network Solosite wound bed and Requires
Superficial wounds
or fibres that keep Solugel removing dead additional
the polymer gel tissue. Reduces secondary
intact. Water is wound pain. dressing to secure
released to keep Conforms to
the wound moist wound.

Hydrofibre Aquacel Lesions and cavity Interact with Secondary Dry and necrotic
Soft non-woven wounds acute wound drainage dressing needed wounds
pad or ribbon and chronic to form a soft gel
dressing made Wounds healing Absorbs exudate.
from sodium Provides a moist
by secondary
carboxymethylcell environment
intention
ulose fibres

The Royal Childrens Hospital Melbourne April 2012

Types Examples Indications Advantages Disadvantages Contraindications

Multilayer CombiDerm Low to moderately Promote moist May require tape Not to be used with
absorbent
exuding chronic wound healing, or bandage to hydroactive gel
dressings
either semi- and acute wounds may reduce secure
adherent or non- maceration
adherent layer,
combined with
highly absorptive
layers of fibers

Silicone gel Cica- Care Treatment of Helps flatten and

sheets soften raised scars Allergy
hypertrophic and reduce formation of
Open wounds
keloid scars. hypertrophic or
Keloid scars.
Can be washed and
reused

Odour Actisorb plus Malodorous May need a

absorbing CarboFlex Mask wound Dressing not to be
wounds odours secondary cut
dressing

Hypertonic Hypergel Wounds with Wicks moisture May dry the Bleeding wounds or
saline Mesalt excessive away from wound out too exposed tendon,
impregnated - exudate. wounds. much. bone or muscle
infused with Moist necrotic , Promotes May cause
sodium chloride autolysis, reduces stinging/
draining and
odour. discomfort
infected wounds

Silver dressings Acticoat Infected wounds Bacteriocidal Questions remain Allergy.

Dressings Acticoat 7 kills pathogens regarding Some cant be used
containing various Aquacel AG Burns such as MRSA and accumulation with oil based
doses of silver Atrauman AG toxicity and
VRE products or topical
content Mepilex AG resistance.
antimicrobial
Should be used
with care.

Negative Vacuum Acute and chronic Promotes localised Requires a power Necrotic eschar,
pressure wound wounds blood flow, source and untreated
Assisted
therapy reduces localised specialised osteomylitis and
applies suction to Closure device oedema, dressings malignant wounds
wound bed via a (VAC) promotes
computerized granulation and
therapy unit epitheliasation
RENASYS GO
attached to an Supports moist
open-cell foam wound healing
sponge placed in Allows gas
the wound and exchange
secured with an Protect the wound
adhesive drape base from
environmental
contaminants

Paper adhesive Micropore Small wounds Non allergenic. Non absorbent Exudative or large
tape - adhesive Provides wound
Dressing retention wounds.
tape may be support
applied directly to Permeable to
healing laceration water and water

The Royal Childrens Hospital Melbourne April 2012

 vapour

Types Examples Indications Advantages Disadvantages Contraindications

Fixation Sheet - Fixomull Superficial Conforms to body Requires Infected wounds

Porous polyester Hypafix wounds contours application of oil allergy to adhesives
fabric with Mefix To secure hypoallergenic prior to removal
adhesive backing dressings Can be sterilised ideally soaked in
without reducing oil and wrapped in
adhesiveness cling film
overnight.

The Royal Childrens Hospital Melbourne April 2012