Perforated film absorbent dressings are suitable only for wounds with mild to moderate amounts of exudate; they are not appropriate for leg ulcers or for other lesions that produce large quantities of viscous exudate.

Dressings with an absorbent cellulose or polymer wadding layer are suitable for use on moderately to highly exuding wounds.

Absorbent perforated dressing

For lightly exuding wounds

Wounds producing little exudate may tend to dry out so that perforated film dressings, such as Melolin (non-formulary) or Skintact (non-formulary), adhere to the wound. Therefore, these dressings are generally not recommended.

Cosmopor E

(Absorbent soft non-woven, perforated dressing with adhesive border)

• 5 x 7.2cm (£0.09), 8 x 10cm (£0.19), 8 x 15cm (£0.31), 10 x 20cm (£0.50), 10 x 25cm (£0.61), 10 x 35cm (£0.85)

Indications

• For the postoperative wound treatment but also for the sterile treatment of minor injuries, e.g. in first aid; in patients with sensitive skin.

Notes

1. A low adherent dressing used as a primary contact layer or as a secondary dressing
2. Change frequency / wear time = up to 7 days

Superabsorbent cellulose and polymer primary dressing

For moderately to highly exuding wounds

Superabsorbent dressings are designed to absorb large quantities of exudate and hold it away from the wound and surrounding skin. Consider carefully why the patient's wound is producing very high levels of exudate that are difficult to manage with conventional foam dressings. This could include such factors as:

• The wound may be infected
• A fistula has developed
• The patient has uncontrolled heart failure
• The area of tissue loss is very extensive.

Highly absorbent dressings should not be used under compression as they may increase sub-bandage pressures to unacceptable levels.

Kliniderm Superabsorbent

(Superabsorbent dressing comprising of four layers) (see note 1)

• 10 x 10cm (£0.50), 10 x 15cm (£0.71), 10 x 20cm (£0.87), 20 x 20cm (£1.01), 20 x 30cm (£1.53), 20 x 40cm (£2.04)

Indications

• Management of moderately to highly exuding chronic and acute wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, venous and arterial leg ulcers, postoperative wounds, oncology wounds and traumatic wounds

Notes

1. Consists of a hydrophilic wound contact layer, an intermediate layer, a superabsorbent inner core, and a fluid repellent backing layer
2. Suitable for use under compression therapy
3. Change frequency / wear time = daily up to 7 days

Zetuvit Plus Superabsorber

(Superabsorbent dressing with a non-woven, air permeable, water repellent layer)

• 10 x 10cm (£0.90), 10 x 20cm (£1.23), 15 x 20cm (£1.42), 20 x 25cm (£1.93), 20 x 40cm (£2.99)

Indications

• Management of superficial, moderately to highly exuding chronic and acute wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, venous and arterial leg ulcers, postoperative wounds, oncology wounds and traumatic wounds

Notes

1. Suitable for use under compression therapy
2. Change frequency / wear time = up to 7 days

Eclypse

(Superabsorbent dressing with non-strikethrough backing)

• 10 x 10cm (£0.82), 10 x 20cm (£1.02), 15 x 15cm (£1.09), 20 x 20cm (£1.57), 20 x 30cm (£2.42), 60 x 40cm (£9.20)

Indications

• Moderately to highly exuding wounds including leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, sloughy wounds, granulating wounds, postoperative or dehisced wounds, fungating wounds and donor sites

Notes

1. Do not use on arterial bleeds or heavily bleeding wounds
2. Change frequency / wear time = up to 7 days

For highly exuding wounds

Vliwasorb Pro

(Superabsorbent dressing with integrated wound contact layer)

• 12.5 x 12.5cm (£0.95), 22 x 22cm (£2.02), 12.5 x 22.5cm (£1.13), 22 x 32cm (£2.54)

Indications

• Highly exuding wounds such as leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, oncology wounds, partial-thickness burns, postoperative wounds, traumatic wounds and skin graft donor sites. Also suitable for leaky legs and lymphorrhoea.

Notes

1. Do not use in cavity wounds, or on lightly exuding or non-exuding wounds
2. Do not cut or tear as the edges are sealed and would cause fibre shed
3. Suitable for use under compression therapy
4. Change frequency / wear time = every 4 to 7 days

Superabsorbent dressings with adhesive border

Eclypse Border

(Superabsorbent dressing with non-strikethrough backing, soft silicone contact layer and adhesive border)

• 15 x 15cm (£5.41), 20 x 30cm (£8.53)
• Oval: 10 x 20cm (£4.76), 15 x 20cm (£6.29), 20 x 30cm (£8.53)

Indications

• Moderately to highly exuding wounds including leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, sloughy wounds, granulating wounds, postoperative or dehisced wounds, fungating wounds and donor sites

Notes

1. Eclypse border dressings have a higher acquisition cost in comparison to the non-border dressing
2. Eclypse border dressings should be reserved for use in patients with highly exuding wounds and should only be prescribed following specialist Tissue Viability Nurse assessment of the wound. Click here for contact details
3. Do not cut or tear as the edges are sealed and would cause fibre shed
4. Do not use on arterial bleeds or heavily bleeding wounds
5. Change frequency / wear time = up to 7 days

Shaped / contoured superabsorbent dressings 

KerraMaxCare

(Superabsorbent dressing with soft, non-woven outer contact layers)

• 5 x 5cm (£1.01), 6.5 x 8cm (£1.22), 10 x 10cm (£1.32), 10 x 22cm (£1.72), 13.5 x 15.5cm (£1.57), 20 x 22cm (£3.05), 20 x 30cm (£3.58), 20 x 50cm (£4.79)

Indications

• Moderately to highly exuding wounds including leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, sloughy wounds, granulating wounds, postoperative or dehisced wounds, fungating wounds and donor sites

Notes

1. Soft, conformable, and foldable to body contours
2. Suitable for use under compression therapy
3. Change frequency / wear time = up to 7 days

Eclypse Contour

(Superabsorbent dressing with non-strikethrough backing)

• 30 x 51cm (£8.86)

Indications

• Moderately to highly exuding wounds including leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, sloughy wounds, granulating wounds, postoperative or dehisced wounds, fungating wounds and donor sites

Notes

1. Shaped to mould to body contours
2. Do not use on arterial bleeds or heavily bleeding wounds
3. Change frequency / wear time = up to 7 days

Eclypse Boot

(Superabsorbent boot dressing with non-strikethrough backing)

• 55 x 47cm, 60 x 70cm, 71 x 80cm

Indications

• Moderately to highly exuding wounds including leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, sloughy wounds, granulating wounds, postoperative or dehisced wounds, fungating wounds and donor sites

Notes

1. Shaped to fit securely around the lower leg
2. Do not use on arterial bleeds or heavily bleeding wounds
3. Change frequency / wear time = up to 7 days

Eclypse Foot

(Superabsorbent foot dressing with non-strikethrough backing)

• 33 x 48cm

Indications

• Moderately to highly exuding wounds including pressure ulcers, arterial ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers and other exuding wounds on the foot

Notes

1. Shaped to fit securely around the foot
2. Do not use on arterial bleeds or heavily bleeding wounds
3. Change frequency / wear time = up to 7 days