Principles of Wound Dressings: A Review.

Dressing is an essential element of standard wound care. The main purpose of wound dressing is: a) provide a temporary protective physical barrier, b) absorb wound drainage, and c) provide the moisture necessary to optimize re-epithelialization. The choice of dressing depends on the anatomical and pathophysiological characteristics of the wound. Contemporary wound dressings provide additional benefits, such as antimicrobial properties and pain relief. In this concise review, we discuss the principles of wound dressing, highlight the features of basic and advanced types of dressings, and offer some practical tips on the choice and application of dressings.