Assessment of acceptability and ease of use of gelling fiber dressings in the management of heavily exuding wounds

Abstract

Optimal exudate management plays an important role in wound healing. Choosing the right methods for this purpose is the key in achieving successful outcomes in the management of chronic wounds. Gelling fiber dressings are a class of dressing that forms a gel when they come into contact with wound exudate. This property allows them to effectively lock in excess fluid and at the same time provides enough moisture for healing to progress. Alginate and chitosan are naturally occurring gelling agents used in dressings, whereas carboxymethyl-cellulose, also called carmellose, is synthetically produced. This article reviews the use of these gelling fiber dressings in chronic wounds with a particular focus on their ability to manage wound exudate effectively.