Modern Wound Dressings: Hydrogel Dressings

Abstract

Chronic wounds do not progress through the wound healing process in a timely manner and are considered a burden for healthcare system; they are also the most common reason for decrease in patient quality of life. Traditional wound dressings e.g., bandages and gauzes, although highly absorbent and effective for dry to mild, exudating wounds, require regular application, which therefore can cause pain upon dressing change. In addition, they have poor adhesional properties and cannot provide enough drainage for the wound. In this regard, the normalization of the healing process in chronic wounds is an extremely urgent task of public health and requires the creation and implementation of affordable dressings for patients with chronic wounds. Modern wound dressings (WDs) are aimed to solve these issues. At the same time, hydrogels, unlike other types of modern WDs (foam, films, hydrocolloids), have positive degradation properties that makes them the perfect choice in applications where a targeted delivery of bioactive substances to the wound is required. This mini review is focused on different types of traditional and modern WDs with an emphasis on hydrogels. Advantages and disadvantages of traditional and modern WDs as well as their applicability to different chronic wounds are elucidated. Furthermore, an effectiveness comparison between hydrogel WDs and the some of the frequently used biotechnologies in the field of regenerative medicine (adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs), mesenchymal stem cells, conditioned media, platelet-rich plasma (PRP)) is provided.

An Up-to-Date Review of Biomaterials Application in Wound Management

“…Moreover, the transparency of polyurethane films is advantageous for wound inspection as it can be done without removing the dressing. On the other hand, the main drawbacks of these dressings are represented by their potential traumatic removal and the excessive pooling of exudate when used on heavily exuding wounds [ 23 , 31 , 32 ].…”

“…Hydrocolloid dressings contain gel-forming agents (e.g., gelatin, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and pectin) and other materials, such as elastomers and adhesive coatings. Thus, in the presence of wound exudate, this type of dressings forms a gel phase that enables moisturizing the wound and protecting the newly formed granulation tissue [ 31 , 32 ]. Other important advantages of hydrocolloids include pain-free removal, barrier properties against water, oxygen, or bacteria, and the promotion of angiogenesis and granulation [ 32 ].…”

“…Hence, hydrogel dressings can be employed in the treatment of various wounds, including burns, surgical wounds, pressure ulcers, and radiation dermatitis [ 23 , 32 , 70 ]. Unlike other modern wound dressings (e.g., foams, films, hydrocolloids), hydrogels also exhibit positive degradation properties, which permit the use of these materials as carriers when a targeted delivery of bioactive substances is required to the wound [ 31 ].…”

“…Modern wound management has come a long way from traditional wound dressings, such as bandages and gauzes, which require a regular application, have poor adhesion properties, cannot ensure proper wound drainage, and may even cause pain upon removal [ 31 ]. Nonetheless, there is still no ideal wound dressing, neither on the market nor in research facilities, that can universally fit and heal all wound types.…”

Physicochemical Characteristics of Chitosan-Based Hydrogels Modified with Equisetum arvense L. (Horsetail) Extract in View of Their Usefulness as Innovative Dressing Materials

“…In recent years, hydrogel dressings used in the treatment of chronic wounds [1], burns [2], and other skin injuries such as bedsores [3] or serious skin abrasions [4] have been of great interest. Such dressings consist of natural polymers and/or synthetic polymers crosslinked physically or chemically [5,6].…”