gauze
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Characteristics
- linen fiber dressing
- some are woven, others are not
Indications
- wounds with minimal to heavy exudate
- partial or full-thickness wounds
- granular or necrotic wounds
- pressure ulcers
- venous ulcers
- diabetic ulcers
- arterial ulcers
- may be used on infected wounds
- use over topical antibiotics, growth factors or enzymes
Contraindications
none
Advantages
- readily available
- easy for caregiver to use
- ribbon gauze packs deep tunnels
- facilitates mechanical debridement
Disadvantages
- non-selective debridement - will harm healthy tissue
- readily dries out wound
- must be kept continually moist with saline to provied moist healing
- usually requires multiple dressing changes/day
- cotton fibers left in wound may cause prolonged inflammation & may interfere with wound healing
Notes
Helpful hints:
- avoid use of wet-to-dry dressings if possible because of pain & tissue damage upon removal
- for continuously moist dressing, remove secondary dressing & reapply saline to packing every 4-6 hours
- use ribbon gaze for packing deep sinus tracts
- pack wounds lightly to prevent pressure on tissue
Products: numerous