By Brittany Charmaine Sumpter and James McGuire DPM, PT, CPed, FAPWHc

Drawtex™ wound dressings utilize a hydroconductive material to aid the clinician in wound bed preparation. It is a highly absorbent wound dressing that facilitates the movement of wound exudates into and through the dressing to the outer secondary material. The constant movement of wound fluids clears the wound bed of harmful wound byproducts that may slow down or prevent wound healing.

Mechanism of Action

Drawtex™ uses what the manufacturing company, SteadMed Medical, LLC, calls LevaFiber™ Technology, based on the ability of the fiber construct to remove or lift wound debris, bacteria and harmful proteases into and through the dressing and away from the wound. This is accomplished by using a combination of capillary action, transpirational pull, and electrostatic attraction. These characteristics are what make the material hydroconductive and combine to make Drawtex™ unique from other fluid management dressings.

The capillary action mechanism is produced by small pores within the dressing acting as capillaries. Intermolecular attractive forces between the exudate and solid surfaces of the wound dressing allow the exudate to be drawn upward against gravity. The hydroconductive action of Drawtex™ allows the dressing to lift, hold and transfer the wound exudate both vertically and horizontally across the dressing. As the fluids reach the top surface of the dressing, evaporation enhances the pure capillary action increasing the fluid movement capacity to as much as 150cc per hour.¹

The third property is electrostatic action. When the negatively charged dressing surface comes in contact with ions from fluids of an opposite charge, they bind to the dressing, effectively producing an electric double layer. This results in the surface having a net positive charge, thereby attracting the negatively charged bacteria and cytokines up into the dressing. The constant movement of fluid across the wound bed enhances autolytic debridement of necrotic material and the movement of the exudates up into the dressing.

Application of Drawtex™

Drawtex™ can be applied directly on the wound surface. When applied in multiple layers, the hydroconductivity of the dressing is enhanced allowing for the movement of high volumes of exudate per hour. It can to be changed daily, however, on healthy wound beds Drawtex™ can be left on for up to three days. It can be used on any wounds that wound be improved with the removal of excess exudate, improved autolytic debridement, and maintenance of a moist wound bed. Drawtex™ can be applied during all stages of wound healing and is one of our top products for cost effectiveness in the wound center.

To learn more about the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine student blog project on WoundSource.com, click here.

To learn more about this company and product visit http://www.woundsource.com/company/steadmed-medical-llc

Citations
1. Wolvos T. Analysis of Wound Bed Documentation in Advanced Wound Care using Drawtex®, a Hydroconductive Dressing with LevaFiber™ Technology. Presented at a Symposium of Investigators held May 4, 2012, Tampa Florida

References:
1. Drawtex. BEIER DRAWTEX HEALTHCARE, 2013. Web. 16 June 2014, http://www.drawtex.com/index.php

About the Authors:
Brittany Charmaine Sumpter is a graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelors of Arts, Biological Sciences. Sumpter is currently a fourth year DPM candidate at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, as well as a student doctor at the TUSPM Foot and Ankle Clinic. Sumpter is involved daily in the evaluation, examination and treatment of patients concerning wound care, surgery, and orthopedics of the lower extremity.

Dr. James McGuire is the director of the Leonard S. Abrams Center for Advanced Wound Healing and an associate professor of the Department of Podiatric Medicine and Orthopedics at the Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia.

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author, and do not represent the views of WoundSource, Kestrel Health Information, Inc., its affiliates, or subsidiary companies.