Wound exudate is produced as a normal part of the healing process to prevent the wound from drying out and to supply tissues with essential nutrients and growth factors for healing. Wounds that produce high levels of exudate can become overhydrated, which may lead to:
- Maceration of periwound skin
- Malodour
- Increased pain
- Enlargement of the wound
- Delayed healing
- Local wound infection
- Protein loss/electrolyte imbalance
Impact on patient
- Embarrassment/anxiety
- Social isolation
- Wet dressings
- Frequent dressing changes
- Loss of confidence in treatment
- Reduced quality of life
Aims of management
- Absorb exudate to remove excess moisture from the wound and surrounding skin
- Reduce bacterial load and remove harmful proteases and cytokines through absorption of the exudate into the dressing
- Avoid periwound maceration by protecting the surrounding skin and maintaining a moist, but not saturated wound environment.
Choosing an ideal wound dressing
There are numerous dressings with different modes of fluid handling. Ideally, the selected dressing should:
- Absorb and retain large quantities of exudate, even under compression
- Be easy to apply and pain-free to remove
- Create an optimal wound environment to stimulate healing
- Be conformable and comfortable
- Avoid exudate-related problems (e.g. maceration).
Optimising the wound bed: Hydration response technology
Hydration Response Technology (HRT) is a design concept that combines exudate management with wound bed preparation. This technology is used exclusively for the manufacture of Cutimed® Sorbion® dressings.
Two components — mechanically modified cellulose fibres and selected gelling agents – — work together to absorb and retain large quantities of wound exudate, encourage wound bed preparation and protect the periwound skin.
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