Improved Bandage for Skin Graft Donor Sites

Researchers have designed a new bandage that accelerates wound healing and reduces pain. This is accomplished through a design that improves drainage, reduces bandage slippage, and minimizes the need to remove and replace wound dressings. Patients who have used this novel wound dressing have reported faster healing times and reduced pain.

BACKGROUND:
Most wound healing dressings are designed to maintain a moist environment to encourage quick tissue regeneration. Current bandages are typically composed of hydrocolloids, and have a maximum amount of exudate that can be adsorbed before bandage slippage occurs due to excess, and ineffectively managed drainage. When bandage slippage occurs, the wound can be put at risk to external exposure, infection, and delays in healing. As such, typical bandages must be changed 2-3 times each week, each time resulting in pain to the patient.

This novel and improved wound dressing targets improved drainage management, decreased slippage, decreased pain, and decreased time to full wound healing.

APPLICATIONS:

• Skin graft donor sites
• High rates of wound drainage sites

ADVANTAGES:

• Fenestrated hydrocolloid layer
• Absorbent layer