Allevyn Adhesive

There are many times when best patient care demands a combination of virtues in the same dressing: high absorbency, conformability, secure self-adhesion as well as waterproof and bacteria-proof performance.

ALLEVYN Adhesive, with its unique triple layer formation, has been designed to achieve this combination to ensure optimal fluid handling to support moist wound healing¹. ALLEVYN Adhesive is an economically-efficient² dressing specifically designed to manage chronic or acute exuding wounds.

• The unique triple action technology helps to maintain an optimal balance in fluid creating a moist wound environment for healing¹
• The low allergy adhesive³ helps to keep the dressing securely in place without adhering to the wound^4,5
• The highly breathable top film helps to minimise the risk of maceration to the wound and peri-wound^6,7
• Provides an effective barrier function to exogenous bacteria as well as helping to prevent fluid and bacterial strikethrough⁸
• Easy to apply and remove^4,5,7
• Conforms to body contours and is very comfortable for patients^4,5,7,9
• Available in a wide range of sizes which can be cut to fit awkward areas such as elbows and heels
• Sacral sizes available which combine the same high-absorbency and secure self-adhesion in an anatomically-shaped dressing.

ALLEYVN Adhesive dressings are indicated for use on:

• Shallow, granulating wounds
• Chronic and acute exudative wounds
• Full and partial thickness wounds such as pressure ulcers, leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers
• Infected wounds
• Malignant wounds
• Surgical wounds
• First and second degree burns
• Donor sites
• Fungating wounds

ALLEVYN Adhesive consists of a highly absorbent hydrocellular foam pad held between an adhesive perforated wound contact layer and a highly permeable outer top film^5,6.

1. Breathable Top Film⁶

The outer polyurethane top film switches to become more breathable in the presence of exudate.

It also helps to prevent strikethrough and provides an effective barrier to bacteria and minimises the risk of cross contamination⁸.

2. Highly Absorbent Foam Core⁵

The hydrocellular foam core is highly absorbent, providing absorption capacity for up to 7 days⁵.

3. Non-Adherent Wound Contact Layer^4,5

The wound contact layer has a low allergy based adhesive³, which adheres well to intact skin, will not stick to the wound and has a proven low risk of skin irritation.

The unique triple layer technology effectively manages exudate helping to ensure that the wound is kept at optimum moisture levels to support moist wound healing¹. It does this by:

1. Transpiring enough fluid to keep the dressing comfortable and conformable¹.
2. Retaining enough fluid to keep a healthily moist wound environment¹.
3. Absorbing enough fluid to remove unwanted exudate and cellular debris^1,10.

1. The composite structure of ALLEVYN Adhesive allows a moist wound environment to be maintained a the wound surface. The moisture is held in the open pores in the foam. As the dressing become saturated and the moisture reaches the backing film the excess moisture is removed through this layer
2. A cost effectiveness study using ALLEVYN dressings. Harding K et al
3. A human repeat insult patch test with adhesive materials. Inveresk Research Internation. Report No 3524. June 1986
4. Avanzi R, Martinelli R, Accardi s, Giraudi C, Peroli P, Rowan S et al. Adhesive hydrocellular dressing vs hydrocolloid dressing in the treatment of 2nd and 3rd degree pressure ulcers.
5. Bale S, Squires D, Varnon T, Walker A, Benbow M, Harding KG. A comparison of two dressings in pressure sore management. J Wound Care 1997; 6(10): 463 – 466
6. Data on file report 0601003. Comparison of the permeability of old ALLEYVN Adhesive and new modified ALLEVYN Adhesive. David Foster and Ana Rial. February 2006
7. Cassino R, Ricci E, Carusone A, Mercanti A. A conformable hydrogel in the debridement of complex necrotic wounds. EWMA; 1997.
8. Data on file report 0607022. An in-vitro assessment of the bacterial barrier properties of ALLEVYN Adhesive. D. Smith. July 2006
9. Harding Kg, Bales S. A randomised clinical study to evaluate and compare the performance of ALLEVYN Adhesive and Tielle^TM dressings in the management of exuding wounds in the community. Smith & Nephew Healthcare.
10. HIS/044: Histological demonstration of cellular debris within ALLEVYN dressings.