References
Optimising outcomes with ‘Wound Balance’ and dressings containing superabsorbent polyacrylate polymers
Abstract
The ever-increasing burden of hard-to-heal wounds requires emphasis placed on early intervention to help heal wounds and improve patient quality of life. A patient's healing potential can be optimised by applying the ‘Wound Balance’ holistic framework for wound assessment, care planning and quality of life considerations. This holistic management can be facilitated with appropriate dressings, such as dressings containing superabsorbent polyacrylate polymers (SAPs), including RespoSorb® Silicone Border (Hartmann). SAP-containing dressings can absorb exudate and bind and lock away wound inhibitors, such as proteases and micro-organisms, reversing the factors associated with hard-to-heal wounds to enable a healing environment similar to an acute wound. Three case studies demonstrate the positive benefits of using RespoSorb Silicone Border in clinical practice. The dressings proved easy to use and comfortable, with atraumatic changes and long wear times, providing a costeffective option for patients with both acute and hard-to-heal wounds.
Ahard-to-heal wound has been defined as one that fails to heal in an orderly and timely manner with standard therapy, due to a disruption in the body's natural healing process (Troxler et al, 2006; Fletcher et al, 2022), caused by intrinsic and/or extrinsic factors (Werdin et al, 2009). Hard-to-heal wounds represent a significant clinical problem and a financial burden to healthcare systems (Guest et al, 2020), as well as significantly impacting patient quality of life (Arshad et al, 2020). Hard-to-heal wounds are often stuck in a chronic inflammatory state, which prevents healing (Fletcher et al, 2017). A major feature of chronic inflammation is the overproduction of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) (Atkin et al, 2019), which may present clinically as increased exudate. This exudate can be corrosive in nature, causing periwound maceration, wound expansion and an increased risk of infection (Bianchi et al, 2013; Harding et al, 2019).
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