Study of the physico-mechanical properties of a sorbent wound dressing containing silver and copper

This study presents the results of an investigation into the structure and physico-mechanical properties of an absorbent wound dressing containing silver and copper, produced in the Republic of Belarus. The density of the silver- and copper-containing dressing was 12.6 % higher than that of the control cellulose-based wound dressings. It was found that after 48 hours of use on pediatric burn wounds during the first phase of the wound process, the density of the silver- and copper-containing dressings decreased by 28.3 % (p < 0.001). Concurrently, the copper concentration within the dressing volume decreased by 22.9 % (p < 0.001), and the silver concentration decreased by 82.1 % (p < 0.001). The coefficient of dynamic friction of the used silver- and copper-containing dressing increased by 4.1 %, indicating the low-adherence (atraumatic) properties of this medical device during clinical use. Furthermore, the application of the silver and copper additive increased the tearing force of the wound dressing to 47.74 N, which subsequently decreased to 11.78 N after use.