Introduction and AimProtection of peri-wound skin against wound exudate and the resulting maceration is amongst others an important aim for the treatment of chro-nic wounds2. This can be achieved by combining a wound contact layer, providing a barrier between wound edge and peri-wound skin and a vertically absorbing foam preventing skin to get in contact with exudate. Dependent upon the composition of the foam dressings the favoured direction of absorption can be either in vertical or horizontal direction so that an in-vitro-test method was developed to evaluate the favoured direction of absorption of commercially available foam dressings.

MethodFoam dressings were placed on a transparent plate (37°C) while, through a hole in the middle, a coloured test solution flowed into the products. Cameras on top and bottom of the device record the fluid spread on both sides over time. Evaluation of the test runs was carried out by determi-ning the fluid spread area on top and bottom of the tested product. Afterwards the ratio of the top/bottom area was calculated.

ResultsResults demonstrate a clear deviation between the tested products. It was found that most of the tested products absorb perferentially in horizonal manner resulting in the fact that exudate could contact the peri-wound skin through the product.

ConclusionsA large number of tested products allow exudate to get into contact with peri-wound skin due to horizontal spread of wound fluid. Furthermore, in most products, the complete fluid handling capacity can not be exploited if the top layer is not in direct contact to fluid. It can be said that a spreading ratio of greater one is needed to obtain vertical absorption. The greater that ratio is, the better is the uptake regarding the prevention from maceration.

Sascha Casu1, Marco Schubert1, Anna Tegelkamp1, Richard Löper1

1BSN mEDICAl GmBH (HAmBuRG, GERmANy)

EWmA Conference 2012,23-25 may, Vienna, Austria

Favoured Direction of Absorption of Foam Dressings, Novel In-Vitro Test

Setting of Measurement• 30 min of testing• 37°C• Coloured test fluid• Images taken every minute from top and bottom• Calculation of spreading ratio A = Area top / area wound contact side

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area ratio 9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

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Here starts the vertical absorption

Allevyn Gentle Border• Ratio A = 0,2• Fluid is transported horzontally• Gets in contact contact with top layer very lately • so that enhanced mVTR is not fully exploited

Allevyn Gentle Border after 30 min filmed from top and wound facing side.00:30

00:05 00:10 00:15 00:30

Mepilex• Ratio A = 0• Fluid is transported horzontally• Fluid does not get directly in contact with top layer • so that enhanced mVTR is not fully exploited

Mepilex after 30 min filmed from top and wound facing side.

00:05 00:10 00:15 00:30

00:30

Cutimed® Siltec®

• Ratio A = 8• Fluid is rapidly transported away from wound bed• Fluid gets directly in contact with top layer• so that total fluid handling starts immediately

Cutimed® Siltec® after 30 min filmed from top and wound facing side.00:30

00:05 00:10 00:15 00:30

2 Cameron J (2004), Exudate and care of peri-wound skin, Nursing Standard 19,7, 62-68. September 2004

Camera top/bottom

Coloured fluid Heatable plexiglas

Dressing