Foam Dressing

1. See Also
   1. Nonadherant Dressing
2. Category
   1. Semi-Occlusive Dressing or wound filler
3. Characteristics
   1. Absorptive
   2. Semipermeable
   3. Adhesive or non-adhesive
   4. Moisture-retentive
4. Indications: Good general purpose dressing for variable exudate
   1. Light to moderately exudative wounds
   2. Reduction of hypergranulation tissue
   3. Combination use with Hydrogel Dressing
   4. Type 2 to 4 Pressure Sores
   5. Peri-tracheal Wound Dressing (especially Candidiasis)
5. Contraindications
   1. Wounds with undermining or tunneling
   2. Dry wounds with eschar
6. Techniques
   1. Change dressing as little as every 7 days
7. Advantages
   1. Conformable
   2. Can be used for absorption or wound insulation
   3. Minimize maceration of peri-wound edges (can be used in areas of fragile skin)
   4. Can be used under compression (e.g. Unna Boot)
8. Disadvantages
   1. Expensive
   2. Requires twice daily care
   3. No trial data
9. References
   1. Bello (2000) JAMA 283(6): 716-8
   2. Degreef (1998) Dermatol Clin 16(2): 365-75
   3. Findlay (1996) Am Fam Physician 54(5): 1519-28
   4. Habif (1996) Clinical Derm, Mosby, p. 810-13
   5. Knapp (1999) Pediatr Clin North Am 46(6):1201-13
   6. Krasner (1995) Prevention Management Pressure Ulcers
   7. Lewis (1996) Med-Surg Nursing, Mosby, p. 199-200
   8. Lueckenotte (1996) Gerontologic Nurs., Mosby, p. 800-7
   9. PUGP (1995) Am Fam Physician 51(5):1207-22
   10. PUGP (1994) Pressure Ulcer Treatment, AHCPR 95-0653
   11. Way (1991) Current Surgical, Lange, p.95-108