Mastery of Cutimed Sorbact dressings

Abstract

Cutimed Sorbact is a unique wound dressing that uses no antibiotics but has antibacterial effects. It is a hydrophobic dressing that acts by irreversibly binding to the hydrophobic extracellular surfaces of bacteria and fungi, thereby deactivating them. The active component in the dressing is a fatty acid derivative, dialkylcarbamoylchloride. The dressing has been used in many clinical scenarios, including on infected wounds, in prevention of infection on wounds and on central blood line puncture sites, as skin substitute in burn wounds, on donor sites and as a cell culture matrix. The optimal wound environment for the dressing is a relatively dry environment to enhance the hydrophobic mechanism of action, and secondary dressings should be selected accordingly. The dressing should be removed when saturated by fluids, including blood, and dressing-to-wound-bed contact is essential for good outcomes. It is not to be used on the upper eyelids, because it will inhibit eyelid closure. The dressing can be used as a first-line choice in wound-dressing antibacterial stewardship. Once the use of the dressing has been mastered in the different scenarios, it becomes an integral part of daily wound care.