New frontiers in wound-dressings: An interdisciplinary perspective

The existing wound care systems and sustained interest in the development of new generation dressings is a step towards a constant search for better and effective management of wound care. There were two major shifts in the development of wound care; the first one was to shift from dry to moist dressings whereby the healing process as well as time was augmented. The next major change came when the dressings were incorporated with antimicrobial compounds like silver, polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), dialkyl carbamoyl chloride for providing healing and at the same time protection from the skin and soft tissue infections. Later on, use of adherent gauze and then vapour permeable films were developed. The recent developments in elastomeric polymer technology (hydrocolloids, polyurethane matrix, films etc.) along with this better understanding of the breathable adhesive technology provided us options for incorporating combined technology for new more efficient dressings. Even though there have been remarkable achievements in terms of wound care management, however, as yet there is no single dressing that can take care of all types of wounds.