TABLe 8.1
Performance.Requirements.of.the.Ideal.Wound.Dressing
Primary Requirements
. 1.. Free.of.toxic/irritant.extractables.
. 2.. Does.not.release.particles/nonbiodegradable.fibers.into.the.wound.
. 3.. Forms.an.effective.bacterial.barrier.(effectively.contains.exudates.or.cellular.debris.to.
prevent.the.transmission.of.microorganisms.into.or.out.of.the.wound.
. 4.. If.self-adhesive,.forms.an.effective.water-resistant.seal.to.the.periwound.skin,.but.is.
easily.removed.without.causing.trauma.or.skin.stripping.
. 5.. Maintains.the.wound.and.the.surrounding.skin.in.an.optimum.state.of.hydration.
(this implies.the.ability.to.function.effectively.under.compression).
. 6.. Requires.minimal.disturbance.or.replacement.
. 7.. Provides.protection.to.the.periwound.skin.from.potentially.irritating.wound.exudates.
and.excess.moisture.
. 8.. Produces.minimal.pain.during.application.and.removal.as.a.result.of.adherence.to.the.
wound.surface.
. 9.. Maintains.the.wound.at.the.optimum.temperature.and.pH.
Secondary Requirements
. 1.. Possesses.antimicrobial.activity.capable.of.containing.localized.infection.

. 2.. Has.odor.absorbing/combating.properties.

. 3.. Has.the.ability.to.remove.or.inactivate.proteolytic.enzymes.in.chronic.wound.fluid.

. 4.. Possesses.hemostatic.activity.

. 5.. Exhibits.wound.cleansing.(debriding).activity.

Reprinted. with. permission. from. Steven. Thomas,. “The. role. of. dressings. in. the. treatment. of.
moisture-related.skin.damage.”.World Wide Wounds, http://www.worldwidewounds.com/2008/
march/Thomas/Maceration-and-the-role-of-dressings.html.(2008).
Wound Dressings and Cosmetic Materials from Bacterial Nanocellulose
159
permanent.inflammatory.state.caused.by.high.activity.of.destructive.proteolytic.enzymes.such.as.metalloproteinases.and.elastase,.and.excessive.amount.
of.exudates..The.latter.can.cause.maceration.of.healthy.tissue.surrounding.
the. wound. and. increase. its. surface. area.. Examples. of. chronic. wounds. are.
decubitus.wounds.(pressure.sores);.venous,.arterial,.and.diabetic.foot.ulcers;.
and.wounds.caused.by.autoimmune.diseases.
In. general,. modern. dressings. create. and. maintain. a. moist. environment.
around.wounds,.which.in.the.mid-1900s.was.found.to.be.superior.to.keeping.
wounds. dry. and. uncovered.. Selection. of. wound. dressings. by. clinicians. is.
usually.based.on.their.in-use.characteristics,.including.wear.time,.number.of.
dressings.used,.time.required.to.change.dressings,.absorbency,.leakage,.ease.
of.application,.conformability.to.the.wound,.and.ease.of.removal.(Davies.and.
Rippon.2010)..In.2007.the.World.Union.of.Wound.Healing.Societies.defined.performance.requirements.of.an.ideal.wound.dressing.(shown.in.Table 8.1),.taking.
into.consideration.outcomes.that.are.of.concern.to.patients,.such.as.minimizing.dressing-related.trauma,.pain,.malodor,.and.discomfort.(Thomas.2008).
Based. on. the. impact. on. the. wound. healing. process,. the. dressings. were.
categorized. as. (1)  passive. (gauze. or. tulle),. which. just. cover. the. wound;. (2).