Diabetic foot ulcer: Challenges and future

Table 1 Introduction to common clinical dressings[91]

Type of dressing	Character	Scope of application	Advantage	Shortcoming
Film dressing	The polyurethane film is used as a protective layer or a second layer of dressing	Clean and superficial wounds	Good air permeability, isolating bacteria and liquid, transparent film, easy to observe the wound, less immersion, no pain	Strong adhesiveness, non-absorption, easy accumulation of wound exudates, leading to easy growth of bacteria and infections, and impermeability of proteins and drugs
Foam dressing	It is composed of polyurethane or a silicone resin center with a semi-closed outer layer	Burns, chronic wounds, cavity wounds, deep ulcers	Strong water absorption, local humid environment, free from bacteria, easy to use and low cost	Strong adhesiveness, forming an opaque layer, hindering wound observation, unsuitable for dry wounds, and poor stability
Hydrogel dressing	The composition is 70%-90% water and cross-linked insoluble starch polymer; super absorbent resin	Most wound and burn types	Supplement water to maintain a humid environment, high exudation, poor adhesion, easy to remove, accelerate wound healing, reduces pain and inflammation, and low cost	Translucent, semipermeable to gas and water vapor, poor bacterial barrier, sometimes poor mechanical stability, frequent replacement needed, and may cause secondary damage to the wound
Alginate dressing	Alginate is composed of calcium alginate and a calcium–sodium complex, forming a gel on the wound surface to promote Hemostasis	Surgical wounds and burns	Strong water absorption, non-adhesion, high stability, easy to be removed by salt water, and good bacterial barrier	Expensive, smelly, scarce materials, difficult to handle
Hydrocolloid dressing	It is composed of viscous materials, hydrophilic colloids, artificial elastomers, and other components that contact wound exudates to form gels and exert its functions	Chronic ulcers and burns	Strong water absorption, salt water or sterilized water is easy to clean and remove, not easy to adhere, high density, good waterproof performance, and no pain	Slight cytotoxicity, unstable volume, easy leakage of exudate, delayed healing of dextran hydrocolloid, impermeable, unpleasant smell, and obstructing wound observation