[Modern dressings. Hydrogels]. / Moderní obvazy. Hydrogely.

Hydrogels are occlusive types of dressings. They are three-dimensional nets made up of hydrophil polymers. They can be produced from synthetic or semisynthetic materials or a combination of the two. Hydrogels retain different percentages of water but are themselves insoluble in water. This is why they maintain on the wound surface their structure and do not dissolve. They are suited for the dressing of wounds with low secretion such as grade I and II burns, grade I and II bedsores and above all epithelial defects, major skin abrasions and areas after collection of epithelial grafts. Their use is contraindicated in infected wounds, in wounds with a massive secretion and ulcers of arterial origin. Although the domain of their clinical use are clean granulating or already epithelizing wounds, they are very well suited also for rehydration of dry and black skin necroses. Their advantages include minimal pain in the wound as well as the fact that they can be left on the wound without redressing till complete healing. This is made possible also by the fact that they are translucent.

[Foil bandages--a modern method of covering wounds]. / Fóliové obvazy--moderní zpusob zakrývání ran.

Single-layer foil bandages which belong to the group of so-called occlusive bandaging materials were originally developed from incision foils. Due to their semipermeability theses bandages permit only restricted evaporation of water from the wound and thus maintain its surface constantly slightly wet. They can be used for longer periods and are thus more economical. Although foil bandages are suitable only for some types of wounds, they have great advantages. Wounds dressed with these foil bandages can be easily and frequently checked and offer wounds excellent antimicrobial protection.

[The modern approach to dressing wounds]. / Moderní prístupy k obvazování ran.

The author evaluates from the pathophysiological aspect the impact of various dressings applied to wounds with regard to the permeability of secretions, gases, maintenance of a stable temperature and preservation of an optimum pH as well as with regard to preventing penetration of toxic substances, bacteria and foreign bodies. The author also pays attention to the important condition of non-adhesiveness of the dressing to the surface of the healing wound. From this aspect he evaluates cotton, paraffin, hydrocolloid, porous and silicon dressings. Based on the study of extensive literature and his own experiments, the author reaches the conclusion that it is essential to provide optimal mechanical and thermal protection of the wound and that for every type and stage of wound healing an appropriate dressing must be selected.

[Healing of a deep skin wound using a collagen sponge as dressing in the animal experiment]. / Die Heilung einer tiefen Hautwunde bei Anwendung eines Kollagenschwammes als Verbandmaterial im Tierexperiment.

The high number of available wound dressing materials as well as the scientific reports about the topic indicates that the problem of an ideal wound dressing is not jet solved. In the last thirty years lot of scientific reports about collagen as wound covering has been published. The positive effect of collagen by his application on a wound ist well known. We investigated the effect of a collagen sponge on healing of full thickness skin wound in guinea pig. The animals were divided in two control groups and two experimental groups. In the control group there were air exposed wounds and another wounds covered with paraffin gauze. In the experimental groups were such wounds covered with natural reconstituted collagen sponge as well as wounds covered with chemically prepared collagen sponge with hexamethyldiisocyanat. The results were compared. The air exposed wounds healed in 50 days, the wounds covered with paraffin gauze healed in 48 days. By covering the wounds with collagen sponge the healing was shortened in 24 or 27 days respectively. Not only the healing time was shortened but also the quality of the wound repair by dressing the wounds with collagen sponge was enhanced.

[Is cooling harmful to wounds?]. / Je podchlazení pro ránu nebezpecné?

An adequate blood supply and stable temperature of the wound are very important for the healing process. During healing of a wound we can observe in the surrounding area two of rises temperature. The first rise is produced by the inflammation in the close vicinity of the wound and its peak is approximately on the 5th-10th day after treatment. The second peak can be found locally after 10 days. It is due to new formation of capillaries and thus a more ample blood supply of the wound and an increased tissue metabolism in the area surrounding the wound. Algidity affects healing in an adverse manner. The author mentions the results of some experiments which provide evidence of the favourable effect of stable temperature on wound healing. This can be achieved by adequate dressing technique and a correct procedure when changing dressings. Wounds must not remain undressed for prolonged periods to avoid drying up and cooling.

[Advantages of alginate bandages for coverage of extensive and poorly healing wounds]. / Výhoda alginátových obvazu pri krytí rozsáhlých a spatne se hojících ran.

The authors recommend a calcium alginate sterile bandage SORBALGON, its advantage being that it has a haemostatic action, does not irritate tissues, is non-toxic, is easily changed and promotes healing. It is suited for covering extensive and deep wounds with ample secretion.