A new high water vapor permeable polyetherurethane film dressing.

Abstract

This study summarizes the Ph.D.-research project concerning the development of a new high water vapor permeable wound dressing. The dressing is composed of a 15 microns thin polyetherurethane (PEU) film, which has many non-interconnected cavities to enable a high water vapor permeability up to 20.1 g.m-2.h-1.kPa-1. Since only water vapor permeates through the PEU dressing, the wound exudate underneath is condensed into a gelatinous coagulum. Epithelialization was accelerated by 25% under the clot-permissive PEU film compared with the fluid retaining OpSite film. In clinical situations on donor sites and grafted full-thickness burn wounds, the PEU film indeed prevented fluid accumulation and induced the formation of a "red" coagulum underneath. It furthermore reduces pain significantly compared to conventional paraffin gauze dressing. In conclusion, the optimum environment for epithelialization is a wound, in which the exudate is permitted to gelatinize between moist and dry.

• Authors: M F Jonkman, P Bruin
• Journal: Journal of biomaterials applications (J Biomater Appl) Vol. 5 Issue 1 Pg. 3-19 (Jul 1990) ISSN: 0885-3282 [Print] England
• PMID: 2384861 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Polyurethanes
• polyetherurethane
• Water

Topics

• Adult
• Animals
• Bandages
• Burns (physiopathology, therapy)
• Guinea Pigs
• Humans
• Materials Testing
• Permeability
• Polyurethanes
• Tensile Strength
• Water
• Wound Healing (physiology)