A Moisture-Balancing Hydropolymer Gel Dressing with a Tissue Boost Effect - Experimental and Clinical Evidence

Cornelia Wiegand,1 Ulrike Wesenberg,2 Jan Heggemann3 1Department of Dermatology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany; 2Community Hospital Herdecke, Herdecke, Germany; 3Christian Hospital Melle, Niels Stensen Hospitals, Melle, GermanyCorrespondence: Cornelia Wiegand, Department of Dermatology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, Jena, D-07747, Germany, Tel +49 3641 9328878, Fax +49 3641 9328876, Email c.wiegand@med.uni-jena.dePurpose: Chronic wounds are impaired in their healing processes and often require a tissue boost to restart healing progression. Dressings of all forms have been used extensively for decades and a variety of dressings was specifically designed for chronic wounds. A dressing based on a hydropolymer gel matrix with a semi-permeable polyurethane backing is thought to provide an optimal balanced wound moisture environment and could hence positively affect the biochemical composition of exudate. However, the mechanism behind the technology is described sparsely.Patients and Methods: We herein report in vitro data to support the mode of action of the hydropolymer gel dressing concerning fluid management, protease binding and thermal insulation. Moreover, a non-interventional prospective study examined the use of the unique hydropolymer gel dressing on pain levels.Results: Data demonstrated a possible tissue boost by retaining as well as providing fluid, depending on the exudate amount, and by binding proinflammatory proteases. The dressing was further able to stabilize growth factors and provide thermal insulation, thereby positively supporting keratinocyte proliferation and migration in vitro. Furthermore, a significant reduction of the pain level after application could be observed clinically.Conclusion: Together, these factors provide a beneficial environment for wound healing and restarting stagnating wounds (or providing optimal conditions for acute wounds). In addition, the dressing appeared to be a good choice for painful wounds.Keywords: hydrogel, pain relief, cooling effect, thermal insulation, wound healing