Abstract
PROBLEM: Choosing the most appropriate dressing to meet the complex needs of patients with narrow deep wounds, such as tunnels, fistulas, and cysts, is a daunting task. Such wounds are difficult to cleanse and tend to be extremely painful. Wound patients need a drug-free dressing that handles exudates, decreases the need for traumatic cleansing during dressing changes, and addresses wound pain, inflammation, and swelling. SOLUTION: Multifunctional PolyMem(®) dressings (the generic name is polymeric membrane dressings) contain ingredients that work synergistically to continuously cleanse wounds and bring about rapid healing. Nonadherent PolyMem provides atraumatic dressing changes. PolyMem also decreases persistent wound pain. PolyMem Silver provides effective antimicrobial action without destructive silver toxicity. NEW TECHNOLOGY: PolyMem Wic(®) Silver(®) Rope is a new strong, but exceedingly supple, dressing comprised of PolyMem Wic Silver reinforced with embedded surgical mesh. Insertion and removal is so simple that patients often change their dressings themselves. The unique features of PolyMem combine to make the nonadherent dressings not only extremely comfortable, but also anti-inflammatory, thus addressing both persistent and procedural wound pain. INDICATIONS FOR USE: PolyMem Wic Silver Rope is especially appropriate for deep wounds with narrow openings, such as tunnels, fistulas, and cysts, but it can be used in any acute or chronic wound, even in the presence of infection. CAUTION: PolyMem dressings enhance autolytic debridement, which often results in production of large quantities of pale yellow enzyme- and nutrient-rich wound fluid during the first treatment week. Extra-absorbent PolyMem Max secondary dressings can contain excess fluid.