A material used to protect a wound and to heal is called a surgical dressing. They serve various functions for the injured site.
SURGICAL DRESSINGS
A material used to protect a wound and to heal is called a
surgical dressing. They serve various functions for the injured site. They remove
wound exudates from the site, prevent infection, and give physical protection
to the healing wound and mechanical support to the supporting tissues. A good
quality of dressing should be durable, easy to handle, sterilized, formed from
loose threads and fibres, and it should not adhere to the granulating surface.
Surgical dressings are classified as:
Primary Wound Dressings
Primary wound dressings are applied over the wound surface
to absorb pus, mucus and blood. They minimize maceration. Some dressings adhere
to the wound surface and cause pain on removing them. Now nonadherent dressings
are available such as petrolatum-impregnated gauge, viscose gauze impregnated
with a bland, hydrophilic oil-in-water emulsion or an absorbent pad faced with
a soft plastic film having openings.
Absorbents
Absorbent cotton is widely used to absorb wound secretions.
Other absorbent materials are rayon wool, cotton wool, gauze pads, laparotomy
sponges, sanitary napkins, disposable cleaners, eye pads, nursing pads, and
cotton tip applications. They are used in the shape of balls or pads.
Bandages
A bandage is a material which holds dressing at the required
site, applies pressure, or supports an injured part or checks haemorrhage. The
bandages may be elastic or nonelastic in nature. Common gauze roller bandage
and muslin bandage rolls are employed most frequently. Elastic bandages may be
woven to form elastic bandage, crepe bandage and conforming bandage.
Adhesive Tapes
Surgical adhesive tapes may be a rubber-based adhesive or an
acrylate adhesive. Rubber adhesive tapes are cheap, superior and provide
strength of backing. In case of operation or postoperation acrylate, adhesive
tapes are used to reduce skin trauma.
Protectives
Protectives are employed to cover wet dressings, poultices,
and for retention of heat. They prevent the escape of moisture from the
dressing. Some protectives are plastic sheeting, rubber sheeting, waxed or
oil-coated papers, and plastic-coated papers.
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