[Surgical textiles-material, methods, effects (author's transl)]

Wound textiles suitable for placing immediately over a wound and materials for securing them in position are discussed. Wound texiles have a curative function (blotting-paper effect, antigravitation effect). Conditions for their use are three-dimensional capillary drainage, plane compression, and nonstick and cooling properties. Cellulose fibers absorb moisture in all three dimensions, while synthetic fibers transport moisture around their strands in a two-dimensional course. The nonstick properties are achieved by means of overtwisted threads in the warp (tunnel effect) in woven fabrics, and in nonwoven fabrics (when moisture is produced) by combination with overstretched cellulose, producing corrugations, or (for drying) by the uneven incorporation of overtwisted fibers into the fabric, which produces a ventilating effect. The nonstick properties always become obvious when the dressings are moistened.