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Abstract
Algosteril is a new alginate dressing manufactured by Les Laboratoires BROTHIER and distributed by Belersdorf Medical. lt It is a natural, pure, non-woven dressing made from calcium alginate fibres. It complements other products In the Belersdorf wound care family such as Cutinova, Cutifilm and Cutisorb. Algosteril rapidly absorbs and retains wound fluid to form an Integral gellifled structure, thereby maintaining an Ideal moist wound healing environment. It traps and immobilizes pathogenic bacteria In the network of gellified fibres, stimulates macrophage activity and activates platelets, resulting In haemostasis and accelerated wound healing.
Alginate dressings remain a popular treatment option for bleeding wounds and wounds with a moderate to high level of exudate (see Case history box for example of dressing in use).
Algosteril is a natural, non-woven dressing made from calcium alginate fibres (Figure 1). The manufacturer claims that Algosteril is the purest alginate dressing on the market and that it has the following advantages:
Platelet activation: Calcium ions released into the wound activate platelets, resulting in haemostasis and growth factor release, which control bleeding and accelerate the wound healing process respectively.
Bacterial trapping: Numerous pathogenic bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis, are bound and immobilized within the network of gellified fibres. A further advantage is that the immobilized bacteria are inhibited from becoming airborne (Dehaut and Maingault, 1994), thus reducing the risk of nosocomial infection.
Macrophage activation: Algosteril promotes macrophage activation. Macrophages are the key cells involved in wound healing. Microphages: (1) release enzymes into the wound; these digest non-vital tissue, facilitating rapid phagocytosis which results in physiological cleansing (2) liberate essential growth factors (3) stimulate local defence mechanisms against pathogenic microorganisms, thereby helping to control infection.
Rapid fluid uptake and retention: Algosteril is a highly absorbent polymer. It readily absorbs wound exudate, which is retained securely within the gellified fibre network, creating a soft wound contact layer which remains strong and intact even when wet, making removal easy.
MODE OF ACTION
Algosteril promotes wound healing through ionic exchange: calcium ions within the dressing exchange with sodium ions present in the wound fluid, liberating calcium ions into the wound. Algosteril is rich in guluronic acids which swell in the presence of sodium ions while retaining their basic structure....