Moist wound healing with occlusive dressings. A clinical review.
BACKGROUND
Occlusive dressings have become increasingly popular in the management of wound care. Numerous types of occlusive dressings are presently available for the treatment of acute and chronic wounds. Occlusion enhances wound healing primarily by preventing wound dessication. As a result, epidermal necrosis and eschar formation do not occur, and wounds reepithelialize more quickly.


OBJECTIVE
Choosing a dressing to meet the specific needs of the patient can often become confusing for the physician. We review the various types of occlusive dressings and their advantages and disadvantages in the practical management of acute and chronic wounds.


METHODS
A literature review of the subject was performed.


RESULTS
Occlusive dressings enhance reepithelialization by preventing wound dessication. Lower infection rates are generally achieved despite bacterial proliferation under some occlusive dressings.


CONCLUSIONS
Occlusive dressings simplify wound care and are an excellent choice in the management of most acute and chronic wounds. This review should enable the clinician to choose the best dressing to meet the individual wound of the patient.
Kannon
G A
GA
Department of Dermatology, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond 23298, USA.
Garrett
A B
AB
D000208:Acute Disease; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003890:Desiccation; D004848:Epithelium / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D012867:Skin / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014867:Water; D014945:Wound Healing
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D014867:Water