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Traditional vs. Advanced Wound Care Solutions! Which is Better?

Wound treatment plays a central role in the case of various wounds. Based on the type of wound, the wound care solutions typically fall under two categories: traditional and advanced wound care solutions. 

Traditionally it was thought that wounds heal best when treated dryly. The “exsiccation” of the wound and the formation of scabs were considered positive signs of wound healing. Today the disadvantages of traditional wound treatment are evident. Firstly, the necessary cell nutrition was interrupted, proliferation reduced, and cell migration inhibited. In addition, the dressing changes were often traumatic due to the adhesion of the dressing material to the wound.

When an injury, infection, or surgery occurs, identifying optimal dressings for a particular wound type is an important element in facilitating wound healing. Fundamental characteristics of the traditional and advanced wound dressing may be used to guide the right wound care solution. 

Traditional Wound Care Solutions

Traditional wound care products are readily available at a local pharmacy. Common traditional wound dressings include gauze, bandages, and cotton wool, which are dry, primary, or secondary dressings used to protect wounds from contamination.1

Gauze dressings made of woven and non-woven fibers of cotton, rayon, and polyesters provide protection against bacterial infection. Some sterile gauze pads absorb exudate and fluid from open wounds with the help of the fibers in these dressings.

Bandages of natural cotton wool and cellulose, or synthetic polyamide materials perform different functions. For example, cotton bandages are used to retain lighter dressings, and high compression bandages and short stretch compression bandages provide continuous compression in the case of venous ulcers.

Tulle dressings are commercially available as impregnated dressings with paraffin and are suitable for the superficial clean wound. 

In general, these traditional wound care solutions can accelerate the healing and help prevent infection by:

  • Absorbing blood and other fluids of the wound
  • Stopping the bleeding
  • Preventing the small particles from irritating the wound
  • Reducing the risk if microbial infection occurs
  • Drying the wound

Wound Care Solutions

Advanced Wound Care Solutions

Wound care is constantly evolving with the advances in medicine. Advanced wound care solutions involve hydrogels, hydrocolloids, alginates, films, and foam dressings, such as silicone foam dressing. Clinicians typically prescribe them after a visit to a doctor or hospital.  

These dressings are focused on keeping the wound from dehydration and promoting healing. Advanced wound dressings are usually based on synthetic polymers and are classified as passive, interactive, and bioactive. Passive products are non-occlusive, such as gauze and muslin dressings that are used to cover wounds. Interactive dressings can be both semi-occlusive and occlusive, and they are available in many forms, such as films, foam, hydrogel, and hydrocolloids. These dressings act as a barrier against the penetration of bacteria into the wound environment.2-5

Advanced wound care dressings have been designed to treat more complex wounds. Advanced wound care healing devices revolve around the principle of moisture therapy that provides moisture to the wound site, which encourages natural cell repair while giving the wound substances like gelatin and cellulose, which absorb fluids, dirt, and bacteria, forming a protective gel mass. In moist wound treatment, physiological conditions for wound healing are created: new cells can develop, increase and migrate more easily. Proper exudate management is also important. The goal is to collect excess wound exudate while promoting an ideally moist wound environment. The dressing should ensure gas exchange and be capable of being replaced as atraumatically as possible.

On the whole, advanced wound care products can:

  • Maintain a stable temperature around the wound
  • Facilitate oxygen flow
  • Protect the wound from infection
  • Remove dead tissue to prevent scarring and allow new cells to emerge
  • Relieve pain during dressing changes

Solutions

Traditional vs. Advanced Wound Care Solutions

Wound healing is a dynamic and complex process that requires a suitable environment to promote the healing process. There is no clear answer to the question of which is better, traditional or advanced dressings. Both traditional and advanced wound care solutions have their advantages, as shown in the table below. The right wound dressing depends on the wound type and personal demands. 

Traditional wound dressings Advanced wound dressings
Moist environment
Painless dressing replace
Absorption capacity
Antibacterial ability
Cost-effective

As a leading manufacturer of disposable wound care and surgical products in China, Winner Medical offers traditional and advanced wound dressing supplies. Winner Medical is always happy to provide you with any information you may require.

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