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alginate dressing
Characteristics:
1) alginate is a naturally occurring polymer of seaweed
2) a gel is formed when fibers interact with the wound fluid
3) a pad or rope form
4) absorbent
Indications:
1) wounds with moderate to heavy exudate
2) partial or full-thickness wounds
3) granular or necrotic wounds
4) cavitary wounds
5) post-operative wounds
6) pressure ulcers
7) venous ulcers
8) diabetic ulcers
9) arterial ulcers
10) used as a filler with other dressings
11) infected wounds if changed daily
Contraindications:
1) dry or low-exudating wounds
2) not recommended for 3rd degree burns
Advantages:
1) autolysis
2) conformable
3) moist environment
4) nonadherent
5) hemostatic
6) pain reduction
7) decreased frequency of dressing changes
8) absorbant, keeps surrounding skin dry
9) may stay in place up to 7 days
Disadvantages:
1) requires secondary dressing
2) may dry out & adhere to wound, requiring saline soak to remove
Notes:
Helpful hints:
1) for very high-draining wounds, cover with gauze or ABD pad & change when drainage strikes through to outside
2) may cover with foam, hydrocolloid, or film, depending upon amount of exudate
Products:
1) AlgiDERM
2) Algisite
3) CarraGinate
4) Carrasorb H
5) Comfeel Seasorb
6) Curasorb
7) Dermacea Alginate
8) DermaStat
9) FyBron
10) Kalginate
11) Kaltostat
12) Megisorb
13) Restore CalciCare
14) Sorbsan
15) Tegagen
Related
alginate; alginic acid
Specific
AlgiDERM
Algisite
CarraGinate
Carrasorb H
Comfeel Seasorb
Curasorb
Dermacea Alginate
DermaStat
FyBron
Kalginate
Kaltostat
Melgisorb
Restore CalciCare
Sorbsan
Tegagen
General
wound dressing
References
- Geriatrics Review Syllabus, American Geriatrics Society,
5th edition, 2002-2004
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA National Formulary
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 15,
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2009