Dressings for necrosed skin

Abstract

During the physiological process of healing, the initial stage of debridement and inflammation is realised spontaneously. Moist wound healing favours the activity of proteolytic enzymes and the macrophages phagocytosing dead cells, and it allows absorption of tissue debris. However, this slow natural process may lead to negative consequences for wound healing. The necrotic process stops the formulation of granulation tissue and creates a milieu that favours bacterial development. This necrosis may be black and dry or humid or fibrinous, the colour depending on the accompanying bacterial colonisation. The presence of a biofilm prolongs the inflammatory stage and exposes the wound to recurrent infectious episodes [1, 2]. Modern dressings based on the concept of moist wound healing contribute to the acceleration of autolytic debridement.