It is available in both medicated and unmedicated forms. It is made up of cotton and the warps on one side are raised by brushing to give the dressing a softer feel and look. This also increases its absorbency. Apart from the requirement of the other standards, the BPC also specifies that the fabric must…

This is a sterile dressing consisting of a number of pieces of cotton, rayon or cotton and rayon cloth. It is impregnated with yellow soft paraffin or soft and hard paraffin. Tulle gras dressing consists of leno fabric impregnated with soft paraffin, balsam of Peru and olive oil. When lifted with forceps, it does not…

Absorbent ribbon gauze is similar to absorbent gauze but with a finer texture. The weft may be cotton, rayon or both. It is supplied in the form of ribbons, wound on spools or packaged in bottles. Uses: It is used for absorption of exudates and removal of pus and other debris without causing excessive damage to…

This is a cotton fabric of plain weave. It is of open texture, soft and flimsy appearance. It is 36 inches wide with selvedge edge and is supplied in various lengths. Uses: As it does not contain loose fibers, it can be directly applied on wounds. It is absorbent in nature but requires several layers to…

Learning Objective Surgical fabrics are woven from good quality cotton, wool or silk, which are free from foreign material. They are usually of plain weave. The BPC describes certain standards for surgical dressings, which include the determination of moisture retention, count, thread per inch, weight, tensile strength, foreign matter, water-soluble extractives, elasticity and absorbency.

Rayon is obtained from the wood of the spruce tree. The timber is freed from the bark. It is treated chemically to remove resins, washed and bleached. This mass of white fibers is converted into alkali cellulose by maceration with caustic soda. This is shredded, further soaked in alkali and shredded into crumbs. It is then…

Cellulose wadding is prepared from timber (usually pine). The wood is disintegrated to separate the fibers. It is then treated to remove the lignin and bleached to obtain a white product. It is then compressed into sheets and rolled. Uses: This is used as an absorbent and protective either alone or in combination with other materials…

Wool consists of the hairs from the fleece of the sheep Ovis aries. The hairs are coated with wool fat. It is removed by kneading in water, where the fat gets emulsified with water. This process also helps in washing other impurities. It is marketed as yellowish-white, continuous, slightly twisted and coherent pieces. It is highly hygroscopic…

The most common fiber used in surgical dressings is cotton. Regenerated cellulose, wood fibers and wool are also used. Cotton also forms the basis for most of the surgical dressings such as gauze, lint, bandages and plasters. Absorbent Cotton Wool (Gossypium Absorbens; Syn. Absorbent Cotton, Absorbent Wool) Learning Objectives Cotton is obtained from the epidermal trichomes…

Learning Objective The dressings may be classified into the following types: