TABLE 2.

Summary of advantages and disadvantages of several wound dressings

	Advantages	Disadvantages
Contact layer	Low adherence24 Used with secondary dressing24,26	May adhere to wound bed when dry29 Permeable to bacteria27
Semipermeable film	Permeable to gases27 Effects growth of anaerobic bacteria24 Facilitates autolytic debridement24 Impermeable to bacteria27 Can be used with secondary dressing Maintains moist wound environment	Nonabsorbent Traps underlying exudate24 If unchanged, aids bacterial overgrowth in moist environment25
Hydrocolloid	Maintains moist wound environment by gelling with exudate27 Facilitates autolytic debridement27	Forms a thick, yellow malodorous gel36
Hydrogel	Maintains moist wound environment28,36 Cooling effect when applied28,36 Used with secondary dressing36 Multiple forms are available36	Low absorptive capacity28 Exudate accumulation can lead to wound maceration and bacterial proliferation34
Foam	Absorbent50 Different forms are available50 Protects wound from trauma26 Provides thermal insultation26 Can be combined with NPWT50	Risk of drying in wounds with low exudate28
NPWT	Brings wound edges together57 Stimulates fibroblasts57 Stimulates granulation, particularly angiogenesis57 Stimulates epithelial proliferation when used with liner (Prevena™)57	Various contraindications59
Antimicrobial dressings	Prevents wound contamination54

Abbreviation: NPWT, negative pressure wound therapy.