The effect of two new dressings on epidermal wound healing

The effects of a Polyethylene oxide hydrogel dressing and a co-polymer starch hydrogel dressing upon the rate of re-epithelization were evaluated in a study using Yorkshire pigs. The polyethylene oxide hydrogel dressing significantly promoted re-epithelization by 44% as compared to untreated control wounds, while the copolymer starch hydrogel dressing significantly promoted epidermal healing by 24%. A possible mechanism of action is presented for the quicker healing induced by these dressings.