How to select an appropriate wound dressing

Throughout the 1960s, George Winter produced pioneering research that has driven the techniques used in today's practice of dressing and treating wounds. This research had proven the theory behind the moist wound healing principle and states that extensive wounds thrive and heel successfully in a sterile, moist environment, supporting the vital wound healing stages (Winter, 1962). Winter (1962) explained that epithelialisation of superficial wounds occurs at a much slower rate when covered normally by a dry scab; however, when a scab that covers a wound is prevented from forming, the rate at which epithelialisation occurs is markedly increased. Registered veterinary nurses (RVN) should have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the stages of wound healing in order to gain an insight into the specific requirements of the wound to assist the healing process. The large variety of wound dressings available in veterinary practice, it makes it essential for the RVN to understand the specific circumstances that each dressing should be applied to and how to monitor the healing process for the benefit of their patients (Figure 1). The key to successful wound management is an accurate and thorough initial assessment of the extent of the injury along with careful planning of how the wound should be addressed (Anderson, 2003; Dealey, 2005).