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Occlusive Dressings

  • Chapter
The Decubitus Ulcer in Clinical Practice

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Abstract

More than 40 years have passed since Gilje [1], a dermatologist, discovered that leg ulcers covered with tape healed faster than those covered with gauze. His observations not only stimulated wound healing research in general, but also inspired researchers and clinicians to evaluate the effect of topical agents on the healing process. As a result, we now know that almost every aspect of the healing process can be affected by what we put on, or in, a wound [2]. With the realization that dehydration is detrimental to wounds came the development of would care products that “provide a moist environment” and their use in the management of chronic wounds such as decubitus or pressure ulcers. Specifically, clinicians can now choose from more than 70 dressings, wound filler products, gels, and creams designed to be “occlusive, to promote moist wound healing, to prevent unnecessary loss of body fluids or to provide a moist environment” [3]. Unfortunately, neither the definitions of these terms, nor their clinical relevance have been clearly defined.

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Authors
  1. L. L. Bolton
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  2. L. van Rijswijk
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Lawrence Charles Parish M.D. (Clinical Professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology and Director of the Jefferson Center for International Dermatology, Visiting Professor of Dermatology, Visiting Professor of Dermatology and Venoreology) (Clinical Professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology and Director of the Jefferson Center for International Dermatology, Visiting Professor of Dermatology, Visiting Professor of Dermatology and Venoreology)

  2. Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

    Lawrence Charles Parish M.D. (Clinical Professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology and Director of the Jefferson Center for International Dermatology, Visiting Professor of Dermatology, Visiting Professor of Dermatology and Venoreology) (Clinical Professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology and Director of the Jefferson Center for International Dermatology, Visiting Professor of Dermatology, Visiting Professor of Dermatology and Venoreology)

  3. Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt. 1819 J.F. Kennedy Boulevard, #465, 19103, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Lawrence Charles Parish M.D. (Clinical Professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology and Director of the Jefferson Center for International Dermatology, Visiting Professor of Dermatology, Visiting Professor of Dermatology and Venoreology) (Clinical Professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology and Director of the Jefferson Center for International Dermatology, Visiting Professor of Dermatology, Visiting Professor of Dermatology and Venoreology)

  4. School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3501 Ryan Avenue, 19136, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Joseph A. Witkowski M.D. (Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Professor of Dermatology) (Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Professor of Dermatology)

  5. Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 3501 Ryan Avenue, 19136, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Joseph A. Witkowski M.D. (Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Professor of Dermatology) (Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Professor of Dermatology)

  6. University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, 608 Sierra Madre Boulevard, 91108, San Marino, CA, USA

    John Thorne Crissey M.D. (Clinical Professor of Medicine (Dermatology) (Clinical Professor of Medicine (Dermatology)

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© 1997 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Bolton, L.L., van Rijswijk, L. (1997). Occlusive Dressings. In: Parish, L.C., Witkowski, J.A., Crissey, J.T. (eds) The Decubitus Ulcer in Clinical Practice. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-60509-3_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-60509-3_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-64436-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-60509-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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