Here - EWMA 2013

POSTER: DRESSINGS
Poster: Dressings
P 256
Characterization of novel PVA-Ag wound dressings gels
Renata Oliveira 1 , Garrett McGuinness 2 , Rossana Thiré 1 , Gloria Soares 1
1 UFRJ (RJ, Brazil);
2 DCU (Dublin, Ireland).
Aim: According to the American Burn Association, «a burn is defined as an injury to the
skin or other organic tissue primarily caused by thermal or other acute trauma». Current
burn dressings intend to help healing by maintaining the wound site moist. Hydrogels
are suitable for this goal. However, a moist environment would allow bacteria growth.
Silver is a known bactericide agent, which inhibits bacteria replication. The goal of this
work was to produce PVA and PVA-Ag hydrogels to obtain potential non-toxic
bactericide dressings.
Methods: The films were prepared from PVA aqueous solution (10% w/v PVA/H2O)
and, for the PVA-Ag films, this solution was mixed with AgNO3 (0.5% Ag), poured in petri
dishes (volume normalized), dried and submitted to gamma radiation (15 kGy, rate of
1.5kGy/h). The films were then analyzed via in vitro tests: swelling tests in PBS at room
temperature and at 37°C; degradation tests in PBS at 37°C after 4 days of immersion;
preliminary cytotoxicity tests (mice fibroblasts).
Results: PVA samples, at room temperature, reached a swelling equilibrium of around
250% after 1h. The PVA-Ag samples reached around 500% of swelling after 1h. At
37°C, PVA samples swelled around 300% while the PVA-Ag samples reached around
400%. The PVA-Ag samples degradation was double the PVA samples degradation. The
cytotoxicity results proved the samples to be non-toxic.
Conclusion: The PVA-Ag samples were non-toxic and also presented higher swelling
(important to keep the moist environment) and degradation.
P 257
Hidradenitis suppurativa wound care possibilities
Poster: Dressings
Christine Westergaard 1 , Kian Zarchi 1 , Gregor B.E. Jemec 1
1 Department of Dermatology, Roskilde Hopsital (Roskilde, Denmark).
Aim: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) affects 1 % of the general population, presenting
with chronic suppuration from inverse areas often requiring daily bandaging (1) . It is
furthermore often excised and the resulting wound left for open healing. There is
therefore a general need for suitable bandaging. Some suitable bandages pose
significant economic challenges to patients. Our aim is to prove an overview of possible
dressings and their practical application.
Methods: Possible dressings were reviewed based on their availability, characteristics
and patients’ and care-givers’ experience.
Results: Tabulated overviews are presented. Examples of practical application will be
given.
Conclusions/Discussion: HS presents many practical problems to the patients.
Effective bandaging is one of the challenges. Bandages should provide a secure and
comfortable barrier against malodorous leakage, be absorbent to prevent maceration of
the skin, easy to use and inexpensive. Currently no bandage meets all these
requirements. The available solutions are therefore combinations of products, that are
both expensive and difficult to apply to inverse areas; suboptimal care or alternative
dressings such as sanitary pads etc. not designed for this use, but inexpensive. A better
understanding of the relative merits of various product choices and their practical
application would therefore improve care and quality-of-life for this hitherto neglected
group of patients (1,2) .
References:
1. Jemec GB. Clinical practice. Hidradenitis suppurativa. N Engl J Med. 2012;366:158-64.
2. Onderdijk AJ et a.Depression in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2012.
doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2012.04468.x.
EWMA 2013
COPENHAGEN
15-17 May · 2013
Danish Wound
Healing Society
157