Update on wound dressings: Indications and best use

Currently, there are a variety of wound dressings available ranging from passive adherent/nonadherent to interactive and bioactive products that contribute to the healing process. Many of the newer dressings are designed to create a moist wound healing environment which allows the wound fluids and growth factors to remain in contact with wound, thus promoting autolytic debridement and accelerating wound healing. Even with substantial advancements in wound dressings it appears that no single material can produce the optimum microenvironment for all wounds or for all the stages of the wound healing process. The intent of this report is to provide a review of currently available dressings, their physical characteristics and to describe their best use as it relates to the condition of the wound (clean, contaminated or infected) and the phases of wound healing.