Superior Exudate Managemeng with Antimicrobial Effect - A New Gelling Fiber Dressing and the in Vitro Performance

Introduction: Modern antimicrobial wound dressing technologies are highly effective in killing bacteria while also ensuring efficient exudate management. This study evaluates the performance of a new gelling fiber A* with a comparator gelling fiber B# key performance parameters such as: absorption under pressure, surface shrinkage, wet strength. Also eval- uates antibacterial performance and microbial barrier testing. Methods: Tests were performed at Coloplast (Denmark): Absorption under pressure; Surface shrinkage upon wetting; Wet strength in weakest direction; Antimicrobial performance (AATCC TM100-2019); Microbial Barrier Testing. Results: For all technical tests, the mean and SD (Standard Deviation) were based on testing of several dressing samples (n specified in the re- sults section). Technical performance results are presented as mean ± SD. Regarding antimicrobial testing, the observed log reductions demonstrate that the A* product has antimicrobial activity towards both bacteria and fungi with log reductions greater than 4 for all tested microorganisms. Similar performance was observed for gelling fiber #B. On microbial barrier testing, the observed growth patterns support the conclusion that A* and B# have microbial barrier properties. Discussion: Gelliing Fiber A* mean absorption under pressure is significant higher, P < 0.0001. Gelling fiber A* mean surface shrinkage is significantly lower, P < 0.0001. Gelling fiber A* mean retention capacity is significant higher, P < 0.0001. To conclude, the new gelling fiber A# combines high technical performance with antimicrobial properties. The effective exudate management and minimal shrink- age, reduce exudate pooling and may lead to a reduction in the risk of infection and maceration.