No abstract available.
Occlusive Dressings* ; Skin*

OBJECTIVETo compare the properties of water-absorption, water-locking, and air permeability among several foam dressings, and to provide references for clinician in choosing dressings for different types of wounds.

METHODSThe comparison was made among Allevyn foam dressing, Mepilex foam dressing, and Biatain foam dressing that were commonly used in clinic. NaCl and CaCl2·H2O respectively in the weight of 8.3 g and 0.367 g were diluted with distilled water to the volume of 1 L to simulate wound exudation. The simulated wound exudation was used to test the water-absorbing rate of dressings at post immersion hour (PIH) 24, water-absorbing speed of dressings at post immersion minute (PIM) 1, 5, 10, and 20, the diffusion diameter of exudation dripped on the surface of dressings for 5 min to reflect the water-locking capacity of dressings, and the water evaporation capacity of exudation after being sealed up by dressings for 24 h to reflect the air permeability of dressings. Five samples of each dressing were used for each index. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and analysis of variance of repeated measurement, and LSD method was applied in paired comparison.

RESULTS(1) The water-absorbing rate at PIH 24 of Allevyn foam dressing, Mepilex foam dressing, and Biatain foam dressing were respectively (646 ± 18)%, (616 ± 19)%, and (499 ± 11)% (F = 423.854, P < 0.01). The differences between each two dressings in water-absorbing rate were statistically significant (with P values all below 0.01). (2) The water-absorbing speed of Allevyn foam dressing at PIM 1, 5, 10, and 20 were (35.20 ± 2.31), (12.48 ± 0.37), (6.63 ± 0.23), and (3.39 ± 0.08) g×s(-1)×m(-2), which were obviously lower than those of Mepilex foam dressing [(119.68 ± 2.59), (24.39 ± 0.62), (12.33 ± 0.29), and (6.18 ± 0.13) g×s(-1)×m(-2)] and Biatain foam dressing [(121.09 ± 3.41), (24.73 ± 0.52), (12.37 ± 0.25), (6.18 ± 0.13) g×s(-1)×m(-2)], with P values all below 0.01. The water-absorbing speed of each dressing showed the trend of declination among three dressings with prolongation of time. The differences between two adjacent time points within each dressing in water-absorbing speed were statistically significant (with P values below 0.01). (3) Diffusion diameters of exudation dripped on the surface of Allevyn foam dressing, Mepilex foam dressing, and Biatain foam dressing were respectively (5.66 ± 0.15), (4.84 ± 0.15), (3.94 ± 0.21) cm (F = 124.742, P < 0.01). The differences between each two of the three dressings in diffusion diameter were statistically significant (with P values all below 0.01). (4) The water evaporation capacity of exudation after being sealed up by each dressing for 24 h decreased in succession for Allevyn foam dressing, Mepilex foam dressing, and Biatain foam dressing, which were respectively (31.2 ± 3.1), (29.7 ± 8.7), (5.6 ± 2.8) g×h(-1)×m(-2) (F = 24.324, P < 0.01). The water evaporation capacity of exudation sealed with Biatain foam dressing was significantly lower than that of exudation sealed with Allevyn foam dressing and Mepilex foam dressing (with P values below 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSAmong the three kinds of foam dressings, Allevyn performs best in water-absorbing rate, water-locking capacity, and air permeability, while Mepilex and Biatain perform best in water-absorbing speed. For selecting foam dressing in clinic, the properties of foam dressings and wound characteristics should be considered at the same time.

Defects resulting from Mohs micrographic surgery may immediately be reconstructed with primary repair, flaps or grafts, or the wound may be allowed to heal by secondary intention. We experienced 3 cases of secondary intention healing using occlusive dressing and purse-string suture, and wounds were healed with excellent cosmetic and functional results. Therefore, we conclude that secondary intention healing of forehead and temple wounds is a safe and effective method of wound management after Mohs micrographic surgery.
Forehead* ; Intention* ; Mohs Surgery ; Occlusive Dressings ; Sutures ; Transplants ; Wounds and Injuries

This study was designed to investigate the effects of occlusive dressing with corticosteroid on the count, size and morphology of corneocytes of normal human skin. We select 16 male volunteers, aged 23 to 25 years, without skin lesions. They were divided to 2 groups according to duration of occlusive dressing, 3 days to group 1 and 6 days to group II. Specimens were obtained from 4 sites on the back, which were studied for the effect of occlusive dressings without any topicals, with 0.l% hydrocortisone-l7-butyrate cream, with 0.25% desoxymethasone ointment, and with base of desoxymethasone, before and every 3 to 5 days after occlusive dressings, up to a total 4 times in group I and 5 times in group II. (countinued..)
Adrenal Cortex Hormones* ; Desoximetasone ; Humans* ; Male ; Occlusive Dressings* ; Skin* ; Volunteers

The authors aimed to apply a nonsurgioal and atraumatic method for avulsing dystrophic nails due to onyohomyoosis by using 22.25% urea ointment under occlusive dressing. One hundred and eighty-nine nails with onychomycosis in fifty-five patients were treated by this rnethod. The results obtained a,re as follows: 1. Of a total of 82 fingernails and 107 toenails in 55 patients, all fingernails and 103 toenails showed an excellent response with easy removal of the diseased nails. 2. The duration tha.t the occluded urea ointment remained in place before sucessful avulsion was 6.7(range, 3 to 18) days for fingernails, and 9.1(range, 3 to 18) days for toenails with onychomycosis. 3. Of 4 nails of control group which were treated with white petrolatum, none showed the significant improvernent. 4. The problems during this treatment were; severe irritation with pain(l case), mild irzitation and/or itching(5 cases), and pin-point bleeding on curettage of nail bed (19 cases). It is suggested the urea treatment has many advantages and seemed to be ideal for patients with digital vascular insufficiency and increased susceptibility to infection.
Curettage ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Nails ; Occlusive Dressings ; Onychomycosis* ; Petrolatum ; Urea*

The important prerequisite for treatrnent of onychomycosis is the removal of as rnuch fungus-infected nail material as possible. Nincty-five patients with anychomycosis were treated with using urea preparations under occlusive dressings. The urea preparations were quite successful in maceraing the nail plate from the nail bed, allowing the easy removaI of diseased nails in all cases except one. The urea preparations removed only abnormal nail. Completely normal nail was unaffected. After nail avulsion, 95 patients were treated for 6 months with combination clotrimazole and ketoconazcile(group A), or with clotrimazole only(group B). Of the 38 patients in group A who complcted the treatment, 25(65.8%) were cured 6 months later by clinical and mycological criteria, compared to 20(47.6%) of 42 patieries in group B.
Clotrimazole ; Humans ; Ketoconazole ; Nails, Malformed ; Occlusive Dressings ; Onychomycosis* ; Urea

The efficacy of hydrocolloid occlusive dressing technique was compared with that of the conventional wet-to-dry gauze dressing technique in decubitus ulcer of stage I and II. Forty-four patients were randomly divided into two treatment groups and each received treatment according to the two different protocols. As a result, 80.8% of the hydrocolloid occlusive dressing group (group 1) and 77.8% of the conventional wet-to-dry gauze dressing group (group 2) healed completely with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. However, the time required for complete healing was shorter in group 1 with 18.9 days compared to 24.3 days in group 2. Ulcer healing speed was also slightly faster in group 1 with 9.1 mm2/day compared to 7.9 mm2/day for group 2. Average treatment time spent by a medical staff member was significantly shorter in group 1 with 20.4 minutes/day compared to 2017 minutes/day in group 2. The hospital cost of the ulcer treatment was higher in group 2 compared to group 1 even without taking into consideration the medical personnel's labor cost. These results indicate that the hydrocolloid occlusive dressing technique offers less time consuming and less expensive method of treatment compared to the conventional technique in stage I andII decubitus ulcers.
Adult ; Aged ; Comparative Study ; Decubitus Ulcer/*therapy ; Female ; Human ; Male ; Middle Age ; *Occlusive Dressings

We report a case of chromoblastomycosis in a 65 year-old woman. She had a 3x4 cm sized, annular, erythematous, plaque with crusts and ulcers on the right lower arm. The lesion had grown slowly for 2 years. In fungal and histopathologic examinations, several muriform cells were found in dermis as well as in scales and crusts on the lesional skin surface. Isolated fungus was identified as Fonsecaea pedrosoi. We treated the patient occlusive dressing of amphotericin B (3%) ointment for 8 weeks and achieved a good response without any evidence of recurrence. We propose that the occlusive dressing therapy of amphotericin B cream is a good modality among the various treatments of small localized chromoblastomycosis.
Aged ; Amphotericin B* ; Arm ; Chromoblastomycosis* ; Dermis ; Female ; Fungi ; Humans ; Occlusive Dressings* ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Ulcer ; Weights and Measures

The closed suction drain is commonly inserted after various surgical procedures. It has an important role to prevent possible hematoma or seroma that can cause postoperative wound problems. But there is still no consensus on managing the insertion site of suction drain after operation. Suture-tie fixation of drain to skin and classical Y shape gauze dressing is a usually accepted method, but it has many limitations. We introduce a new approach to the care for the insertion site of suction drain by using occlusive transparent film dressing, IV3000(R)(Smith & Nephew, London, UK). By using transparent film, insertion site of drain can be easily checked without removal of dressing. Because it can reduce the tension of suture-tie fixation, it helps to prevent skin injury. Furthermore, occlusive film dressing can block air leakage from insertion site of drain, and the water-proof character of film allows patients to take a shower without dressing change. This new method is more convenient, more efficient, and less harmful to skin than classic one.
Bandages* ; Consensus ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Occlusive Dressings ; Seroma ; Skin ; Suction* ; Wounds and Injuries

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of occlusive wet dressing by using hydrophilic polyurethane foam (Medifoam ) in the management of donor sites of split thickness skin graft. The outer layer of Medifoam is made of a polyurethane film, which is impermeable to water and microorganisms. It provides moist wound environment and effective bacterial barrier. The middle layer is polyurethane foam, the absorption layer. Its swelling ratio is 1020% and the layer contains wound promoters (Glycosamnioglycan, etc.). The inner layer is polyurethane film, which has micro pores whose size is below 20mum. It prevents epithelial ingrowth into the pore. We performed half side test to compare Medifoam to AHD (the hydrocellular dressing materials). We divided STSG donor site into AHD dressing site and Medifoam dressing site in random fashion. This study was performed in Seoul National University Hospital from April 2001 till August 2001 with 32 patients, who needed to skin graft. We investigated about pain, comfort, easiness of handling, and time for complete healing. The Medifoam dressed site had less pain, more comfortable, easier handling and more rapid wound healing. The average healing time of Medifoam is 9.4 +/- 1.9 days and AHD is 12.6 +/- 1.9 days(p< 0.001). So we concluded that the occlusive dressing with Medifoam is an effective dressing method in split thickness skin graft donor site. And we expect that it is also effective dressing material in many other wounds.
Absorption ; Bandages* ; Humans ; Occlusive Dressings ; Polyurethanes* ; Seoul ; Skin* ; Tissue Donors* ; Transplants* ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries