foam dressing; polyurethane foam dressing

Characteristics: 1) polyurethane foam 2) varying degrees of thickness & gas permeability 3) adhesive & non adhesive forms Indications: 1) wounds with moderate to high exudate 2) partial or full-thickness wounds 3) granular or necrotic wounds 4) pressure ulcers 5) venous ulcers 6) diabetic ulcers 7) arterial ulcers 8) infected wounds (if dressing changed daily) 9) may be used over: a) hydrogels b) absorptive fillers c) alginates Contraindications: 1) stage 1 wounds 2) dry wounds 3) fragile surrounding skin (adhesive foams) Advantages: 1) protection 2) autolysis 3) conformable, act like cushion 4) moist environment 5) insulates wound 6) may decrease excess granulation tissue 7) absorbent 8) conforms to body contours 9) 4-7 day wear time Disadvantages: 1) some foams require tape or other securing method 2) adhesive foams may strip skin upon removal 3) cavity foams may damage tissue if overpacked Notes: Helpful hints: 1) tape non-adhesive foams across dressing rather than picture- framing with tape; this keeps the foam in contact with the wound 2) cover at least 1 inch of surrounding skin 3) most foams should be changed when strike-through of drainage is within 1 inch of the edge 4) read package label Products: 1) Allevyn 2) CarraSmart 3) Curad Scar Therapy 4) Cutinova Cavity 5) Cutinova Foam 6) Epilock 7) Flexan 8) Hydrasorb 9) Lyofoam 10) Mitraflex 11) Polyderm 12) Polymem 13) Sof-Foam 14) Vigafoam

Specific

Allevyn CarraSmart foam Curad scar therapy Cutinova Cavity Cutinova Foam Epilock Flexan Hydrasorb Mepilex Mitraflex Polyderm Polymem Sof-Foam VigaFoam

References

- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 15, American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2009