ConvaTec Introduces AQUACEL(R) Ag SURGICAL Cover Dressings With Hydrofiber(R) Technology

Unique Design Proven to Reduce Risk of Surgical Site Infection and Skin Blistering(1a), (2b)

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Mar 31, 2010, 09:00 ET

SKILLMAN, N.J., March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- ConvaTec, a world-leading developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies for community and hospital care, announced today the launch of AQUACEL® Ag SURGICAL cover dressings, now available in the U.S., for the post-operative care of surgical incisions.

Featuring the ConvaTec patented Hydrofiber® Technology combined with skin-friendly hydrocolloid technology, AQUACEL® Ag SURGICAL cover dressings are supported by evidence showing significant reduction in the incidence of superficial surgical site infection (SSI), skin blistering and delayed discharge as compared to a non-woven post-operative surgical cover dressing regimen.(1a), (2b) The unique construction of AQUACEL® Ag SURGICAL cover dressings provides a waterproof, viral and bacterial barrier* that allows for flexibility and extensibility during body movement.

"The innovative design of AQUACEL® Ag SURGICAL cover dressings has been proven to handle post-operative challenges – complications that can translate to increased time, expense and concern for the patient's well-being," said Michael Steadman, President of ConvaTec Wound Therapeutics. "Clinicians caring for patients with acute and chronic wounds from all over the world are familiar with the benefits of Hydrofiber® Technology, which we are now pleased to make available to the surgical community in an easy-to-use solution for their post-operative needs."

The performance of AQUACEL® Ag SURGICAL cover dressings is powered by unique gelling action of the ConvaTec advanced Hydrofiber® Technology dressings, which absorb and lock in fluid, including harmful bacteria.(3c)

In a prospective study, involving 428 patients undergoing hip or knee surgery, a hospital's then standard non-woven post-operative dressing regimen (Mepore™ dressing covering AQUACEL® dressing) was compared with a new dressing regimen of AQUACEL® dressing covered with DuoDERM® Extra Thin dressing (the main components of AQUACEL® SURGICAL cover dressing) after application of a liquid film-forming acrylate. The new dressing regimen demonstrated a reduction in superficial surgical site infection of 67 percent (p<0.03), a reduction in blistering of 88 percent (p<0.001) and a reduction in delayed discharge of 80 percent (p<0.02).(1a), (2b)

AQUACEL® Ag SURGICAL cover dressings are available in four sizes, each 9cm wide, for incisions from 4cm to 27cm in length. For more information in the U.S., please call 800-422-8811.

Advanced Wound Dressings with Hydrofiber® Technology from ConvaTec

ConvaTec dressings with Hydrofiber® Technology gel on contact with fluid, providing clinicians and patients with substantial wound care benefits. This unique gelling action enables the dressings to lock in exudate and its harmful components(3,6,7c) and contour closely to the wound bed,(8c) in response to changing wound conditions. With the addition of ionic silver, AQUACEL® Ag dressing also provides "on demand" broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.(4,9c,d)

For incisions that are infected or at risk of infection, AQUACEL® Ag dressing provides rapid and sustained antimicrobial activity, killing a broad spectrum of pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), within 30 minutes of exposure to the dressing,(4) for up to 7 days,(5) as demonstrated in a simulated wound model in vitro.

AQUACEL® Ag dressings are soft, absorbent non-woven wound dressings based on Hydrofiber® Technology.

About ConvaTec

ConvaTec is a leading developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies that have helped improve the lives of millions of people worldwide. With four key business divisions – Ostomy Care, Wound Therapeutics, Continence and Critical Care and Infusion Devices – ConvaTec products support health care professionals from the hospital to the community health setting. From its headquarters in Skillman, New Jersey, the company oversees more than 8,000 employees in over 90 countries serving consumers and their health care professionals on six continents. For more information, please visit www.convatec.com.

*When intact and there is no leakage

(a) A post-operative dressing regimen using Mepore™ dressing covering AQUACEL® dressing was compared to a new dressing regimen of DuoDERM® Extra Thin dressing covering AQUACEL® dressing after application of a liquid film forming acrylate. A subsequent study demonstrated no enhancement of the new dressing regimen by the acrylate.
(b) Equivalent performance of AQUACEL® SURGICAL cover dressing to DuoDERM® Extra Thin dressing covering AQUACEL® dressing demonstrated in in vitro testing.
(c) As demonstrated in vitro
(d) The amount of silver released is controlled by the maximum concentration of silver that can enter solution.

Clarke JV, Deakin AH, Dillon JM, Emmerson S, Kinninmonth AWG. A prospective clinical audit of a new dressing design for lower limb arthroplasty wounds. J Wound Care. 2009;18(1):5-11.
Laboratory Test Comparison of AQUACEL® Surgical Dressing 'New Design' and the Jubilee Method of Dressing Surgical Wounds. WHRI3264 TA180. October 7, 2009. Data on file, ConvaTec.
Walker M, Hobot JA, Newman GR, Bowler PG. Scanning electron microscopic examination of bacterial immobilisation in a carboxymethylcellulose (Aquacel) and alginate dressings. Biomaterials.2003; 24:883-890.
Jones SA, Bowler PG, Walker M, Parsons D.Controlling wound bioburden with a novel silver-containing Hydrofiber dressing. Wound Repair Regen. 2004; 12(3):288-294.
Bowler PG, Jones SA, Walker M, Parsons D. Microbicidal properties of a silver-containing hydrofiber dressing against a variety of burn wound pathogens. J Burn Care Rehabil. 2004; 25(2):192-196.
Waring MJ, Parsons D. Physico-chemical characterisation of carboxymethylated spun cellulose fibres. Biomaterials. 2001;22:903-912.
Walker M, Bowler PG, Cochrane CA. In vitro studies to show sequestration of matrix metalloproteinases by silver-containing wound care products. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2007;53(9):18-25.
Jones SA, Bowler PG, Walker M. Antimicrobial activity of silver-containing dressings is influenced by dressing conformability with a wound surface. Wounds. 2005;17(9):263-270.
Bowler PG, Jones SA, Walker M, Parsons D. Microbicidal properties of a silver-containing Hydrofiber® dressing against a variety of burn wound pathogens. J Burn Care Rehabil. 2004;25(2):192-196.