An in-vitro study of the pressure-relieving properties of four wound dressings for foot ulcers

• Published in: Journal of wound care Vol. 10; no. 2; p. 34
• Main Authors: Ashford, R L, Freear, N D, Shippen, J M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.02.2001
• Subjects: Bandages - standards; Bandages, Hydrocolloid; Biomechanical Phenomena; Colloids - standards; Compressive Strength; Foot Ulcer - nursing; Humans; Materials Testing; Polyurethanes - standards; Pressure - adverse effects; Skin Care - instrumentation
• ISSN: 0969-0700
• DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2001.10.2.26046

This in-vitro study reports on a selection of mechanical tests on four wound dressings: Allevyn (Smith and Nephew), Biatain (Coloplast), Lyofoam (Seton Scholl) and Tielle (Johnson and Johnson). The aim of the study was to investigate these dressings in the laboratory by subjecting them to dry and wet compression tests, shearing tests and a cyclical test. As predicted, all dressings performed differently in the range of tests, with Lyofoam deforming the most when subjected to compression testing (5.6 mm). During wet compression, differences in the physical properties of all the materials tested were identified. During shearing testin, Allevyn and Tielle withstood the greatest shear deflection before failure, but Biatain withstood the greatest force before failing. During the cyclical testing, Lyofoam only reduced by 1% of its original thickness, while Biatain reduced by 30%. No one dressing performed better in all the tests. However, as an all-round 'pressure-relieving' dressing, Allevyn consistently outperformed the others in the study.