From the Research
Surgifoam is not recommended for use on skin tears, as it is primarily designed to control bleeding during surgical procedures and may not provide the optimal environment for skin tear healing. Skin tears are partial-thickness wounds that require gentle cleansing and appropriate dressings that maintain a moist wound environment without adhering to the wound bed 1. For skin tears, better options include silicone-based dressings, hydrogels, foam dressings, or transparent films depending on the severity of the tear. These specialized dressings protect the skin flap (if present), promote healing, and minimize trauma during dressing changes. When treating a skin tear, gently clean the wound with saline, carefully reposition any skin flap, apply an appropriate non-adherent dressing, and secure it with minimal tension. Using products designed specifically for skin tears rather than hemostatic agents like Surgifoam will provide better outcomes and reduce the risk of further tissue damage during the healing process. Some key considerations for skin tear management include:
- Gentle wound cleansing and dressing to promote a moist wound environment
- Use of non-adherent dressings to minimize trauma during dressing changes
- Protection of the skin flap (if present) to promote healing
- Selection of dressings that maintain a moist wound environment without adhering to the wound bed, such as silicone-based dressings, hydrogels, foam dressings, or transparent films 2, 3. Recent studies have shown that moist dressings, such as hydrocolloid and foam dressings, are more effective than traditional gauze dressings in promoting wound healing and reducing healing time 4. Additionally, the use of negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time with foam dressings may be an appropriate adjunct therapy for wound cleansing, especially in cases where sharp excisional debridement is not available or appropriate 5.