* Dressing A = Mepilex® Border Post-Op (10x25cm) Dressing D = Opsite Post-Op (10x25cm) Dressing B = Aquacel Surgical (9x25cm) Dressing E = Tegaderm™+Pad (9x25cm) Dressing C = Opsite Post-Op Visible (10x25cm) A LABORATORY EVALUATION OF THE BLOOD ABSORPTION PROPERTIES OF SURGICAL DRESSINGS AUTHOR: Malin Holmén (Research & Development Department, Mölnlycke Health Care, Gothenburg, Sweden) INTRODUCTION Surgical wounds can be associated with substantial blood loss at a rapid rate. Consequently, post-operative wound dressings with high absorption capacities and good dispersion characteristics should be selected in order to minimize the frequency of costly dressing changes. Each dressing change risks exposing the post- operative wound to contamination and therefore a risk of superficial surgical site infection (SSI). Furthermore, dressings should minimize the risk of exudates leakage and moisture-related damage (e.g. maceration). AIMS The poster describes the results of an in vitro study that was undertaken to compare the blood absorption capacity and dispersion ability of different surgical dressings. The study was designed in such a way as to assess the ability of the dressings to handle large amounts of blood quickly over a relatively short period of time and to distribute fluid within them. METHOD Materials The test equipment consisted of a Plexiglas® plane with an adjustable inclination. From underneath the middle of the plane, a tube was connected. The tube was connected to a syringe pump from which liquid was supplied at a controlled and even flow rate. Methodology The dressings were attached to the Plexiglas® plane at an inclination of 60 degrees. Bovine blood (in sodium citrate solution to prevent it from coagulation) was added at a high constant flow rate (3ml/min) into the centre of each dressing. The volume of blood added was recorded until it reached the bottom edges of the wound dressing (indicator of absorption capacity against gravity) and until leakage from the wound pad occurred (indicator of retention capacity). Please see chart for results. Photographs of the dispersion patterns were taken at regular intervals (i.e. after the initial addition of 5ml of blood and then after each subsequent 5ml addition). Please see photo matrix for results. Tests were terminated when blood was observed to be leaking from the dressing, or when it was heavy accumulated under the dressing border, making it impossible to continue. The tests were undertaken on five samples of each dressing and the photographs shown are representative of each sample tested.