Current trends in the development of wound dressings, biomaterials and devices

Wound management covers all aspects of patient care from initial injury, treatment of infection, fluid loss, tissue regeneration, wound closure to final scar formation and remodeling. There are many wound-care products available including simple protective layers, hydrogels, metal ion-impregnated dressings and artificial skin substitutes, which facilitate surface closure. This review examines recent developments in wound dressings, biomaterials and devices. Particular attention is focused on the design and manufacture of hydrogel-based dressings, their polymeric constituents and chemical modification. Finally, topical negative pressure and hyperbaric oxygen therapy are considered. Current wound-management strategies can be expensive, time consuming and labor intensive. Progress in the multidisciplinary arena of wound care will address these issues and be of immense benefit to patients, by improving both clinical outcomes and their quality of life.