foam dressing; polyurethane foam dressing

Characteristics

• polyurethane foam
• varying degrees of thickness & gas permeability
• adhesive & non adhesive forms

Indications

• wounds with moderate to high exudate
• partial or full-thickness wounds
• granular or necrotic wounds
• pressure ulcers
• venous ulcers
• diabetic ulcers
• arterial ulcers
• infected wounds (if dressing changed daily)
• may be used over:
  • hydrogels
  • absorptive fillers
  • alginates

Contraindications

• stage 1 wounds
• dry wounds
• fragile surrounding skin (adhesive foams)

Advantages

• protection
• autolysis
• conformable, act like cushion
• moist environment
• insulates wound
• may decrease excess granulation tissue
• absorbent
• conforms to body contours
• 4-7 day wear time

Disadvantages

• some foams require tape or other securing method
• adhesive foams may strip skin upon removal
• cavity foams may damage tissue if overpacked

Notes

Helpful hints:

• tape non-adhesive foams across dressing rather than picture- framing with tape; this keeps the foam in contact with the wound
• cover at least 1 inch of surrounding skin
• most foams should be changed when strike-through of drainage is within 1 inch of the edge
• read package label

Products:

• Allevyn
• CarraSmart
• Curad Scar Therapy
• Cutinova Cavity
• Cutinova Foam
• Epilock
• Flexan
• Hydrasorb
• Lyofoam
• Mitraflex
• Polyderm
• Polymem
• Sof-Foam
• Vigafoam

More general terms

• wound dressing

More specific terms

• Allevyn
• CarraSmart foam
• Curad scar therapy
• Cutinova Cavity
• Cutinova Foam
• Epilock
• Flexan
• Hydrasorb
• Mepilex
• Mitraflex
• Polyderm
• Polymem
• Sof-Foam
• VigaFoam