Moisture-Retentive Dressings: A Review of the Current Literature

Abstract

Moisture-retentive dressings allow rapid epithelialization, reduce pain, reduce fibrosis, reduce infection and yield better cosmetic results. Furthermore, occlusive dressings allow less painful debridement and stimulate granulation tissue. Despite these advantages, moisture-retentive dressings are still underused. Among the reasons for this underuse are confusion due to the variety of dressings available, fear of infection, and excessive cost. The studies reviewed here refute concerns that moisture-retentive dressings are associated with more infections or that they are too expensive to be practical. The issue of cost was addressed in several of the articles reviewed here, and while moisture-retentive dressings are certainly more expensive on a per unit basis, their overall cost-effectiveness can be more favourable than other more conventional dressings.