SMTL Dressings Datacard

Description

Tegagel is made from the calcium salt of alginic acid, prepared as a textile fibre, and presented in the form of a sterile fibrous sheet. In the final product, the fibres are hydroentangled to produce a flat dressing that maintains its integrity when wet.

In contact with serum, wound exudate or solutions containing sodium ions, the insoluble calcium alginate is partially converted to the soluble sodium salt and a hydrophilic gel is formed on the surface of the dressing. This overlays the wound and provides a micro-environment that is believed to facilitate wound healing.

Indications

Tegagel may be used in the management of a variety of exuding wounds including leg ulcers, pressure sores, ischaemic and diabetic wounds.

Contra-indications

Although there are no known contra-indications to the use of Tegagel, the dressing will be of little clinical value if applied to wounds that are very dry, or covered with hard black necrotic tissue.

Method of use

An appropriate size of dressing is applied to the previously cleansed wound and covered with a suitable secondary dressing. If the wound is exuding heavily, a simple absorbent pad may be used as the secondary dressing, but for drier wounds, the use of a more occlusive product such as a semipermeable film or a hydrocolloid dressing may be desirable. If required, the alginate may be moistened with a sterile solution of normal saline immediately following application to facilitate gelling.

The gelled dressing may be removed with forceps or the gloved hand; moistening the dressing with sterile normal saline will facilitate removal from dry wounds.

Frequency of Change

Tegagel may be left in place until saturated with exudate or for a maximum of seven days although most dressings will typically be changed 2-3 times per week.

Warnings

Wounds that show signs of clinical infection may be dressed with Tegagel provided that normal precautions are taken and the dressing is changed daily. Systemic antibiotic therapy should be initiated at the discretion of the medical officer in charge.

Presentation

Supplied in boxes, in individual peeled packages and E-Beam sterilised.

Sizes

5 cm × 5 cm

10 cm × 10 cm

Bibliography

1. Thomas S, Alginates; A guide to the properties and uses of the different alginate dressings available today, J. Wound Care, 1992, 1, 29-32.

Revision Details

This datacard has been prepared from data provided by the manufacturer and/or from published literature.

URL: http://www.worldwidewounds.com/WMPRC/DataCards/HTML/tegagel.html
Last Modified: Thursday, 28-Mar-2002 10:23:28 GMT