Anna Górska, Aleksander Mendyk

Hydrogels as effective wound dressings in support of wounds treatment
2023-09-12

In recent years, the topic of effective wound treatment has become growing in importance due to the increasing rate for their diagnosis, but also because of the raising awareness of wound healing issues. One of the essential parts of the treatment is the use of appropriate wound dressings that actively support the natural healing process. This draws attention to the potential of hydrogel wound dressings, which, as non-adhesive, soft and flexible polymeric products with a high water content, can act as a safe contact layer, reduce pain levels, maintain an appropriate level of moisture and promote autolytic debridement.

Hydrogel wound dressings are available in two physical forms, i.e. semi-solid (amorphous hydrogel) and solid (hydrogel sheet). A review of scientific literature shows that they are materials with many benefits in the treatment of dry or weakly exuding and necrotic wounds. However, their use in the management of infected and high exudate wounds is limited. There is therefore a need for their further development to help improve chemical, physical and biological properties, thereby expanding their functionality. Current studies focused on two main strategies, i.e. 1) enhancing therapeutic efficacy by incorporating into the system an active substance with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity, or 2) implementing various sensors, that detect, or respond to, environmental stimuli.

In order to obtain a product of adequate quality and durability of use, an important part of the research is a detailed evaluation of the properties of the designed materials. Adequate elasticity, mechanical strength, swelling and absorption capacity, as well as internal structure are all factors that need to be examined to assess the functionality of the designed materials as wound dressings.

The present review is aimed at systematizing the knowledge of hydrogel wound dressings and identifying future research directions. The work includes a description of their properties, available forms, composition and testing methods.

Keywords: hydrogel wound dressings, cross-linking, wound healing, polymers, drug delivery.

© Farm Pol, 2023, 79(4): 217–225