Objective: To evaluate the capacity of a superabsorbent dressing (DryMax Extra; AbsorbestAB) to manage excessive exudate, thereby protecting peri-wound skin and facilitating wound healing.

Method: Patients with acute and chronic wounds of various aetiology were assessed, and treatment of their wounds with the superabsorbent dressing was evaluated. The starting point for this study was the needs of individual patients and, therefore, the study includes patients with exuding wounds of various aetiologies, which were not progressing towards healing with their previous treatment.

Results: Thirty patients, aged 23-94 years, were included in this case series, between December 2008 and September 2009. Dressings were changed from daily to once a week, based on the clinician's judgment and the needs of the individual patient. In many patients, frequent dressing changes were needed initially but, after a while, the exudate levels decreased and the dressing could be changed at longer intervals. Inspection of the saturation was possible without removing the dressing. The absorbing efficiency of the dressing was considered to be very good by the investigating clinician, even under compression, and blood, stool and urine was seen to be absorbed by the dressing. Prior to using the superabsorbent, many patients suffered from painful wounds and maceration, irritation, eczema and itching in the surrounding skin, caused by the wound exudate. As the exudate levels decreased and the wounds started healing, the patients felt less pain and less itching in the surrounding skin.

Conclusion: This case series suggests that the superabsorbent dressing promoted wound healing in patients with highly exuding wounds, where previous therapy had failed. More research and evaluation comparing the capacities of various superabsorbent dressings in vitro and in vivo and the clinical implications of their special properties is needed.

Declaration of interest: These studies were sponsored by Absorbest AB, manufacturers of DryMax Extra. A. Hindhede is an independent consultant who received a fee for her contribution. F. Meuleneire completed a clinical case-series in agreement with the sponsor and received funding for conduct of the study. The sponsors had no role in study design, or collection or analysis of the data.