DESIGN AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF A NEW BIODEGRADABLE WOUND DRESSING

Most of the temporary dressings used in the treatment of burns do not meet the objectives of a skin substitute concerning application, safet y and comfort. Removal is often painful and traumatic and increases th e risk of infection. Biodegradable polymers of lactic and caproic acid were developed as part of a research programme (BMFT/FRG, 01 KG 8809/ 7), and chemical and physical properties were investigated. Films made of the copolymer material were characterized by structure, transparen cy, permeability, tensile strength, flexibility and degradation. The t ransparent films appeared increasingly opaque during hydrolysis. The w ater vapour permeance could be varied between 40 and 250 (40-136) ml/m (2) per h (according to the method of measurement). The mechanical pro perties are characterized by a maximum elongation of >2000% at 37 degr ees C and a very low elasticity modulus. When the results were compare d with those of three established film dressings, no restriction was f ound in the aptitude of the material as a wound dressing.