Lyofoam
How to apply Lyofoam
1. If the wound is sloughy or appears contaminated, first irrigate with normal saline (e.g. Steripod), preferably at body temperature. Dry the surrounding skin, leaving the wound surface moist. Avoid disturbing any newly-formed tissue at the edges and in the base of the wound.
2. Select a size of Lyofoam large enough to overlap the wound margins by 2–3cm. If necessary, cut to shape. Place the smooth, shiny side of the dressing directly over the wound surface.
3. For venous leg ulcers, retain Lyofoam with a suitable bandage, such as Setopress. For other applications, Lyofoam may be retained with adhesive tape or with a suitable dressing retention bandage (e.g. Tubifast or Slinky).
Lyofoam is a layer of polyurethane foam, heat treated on one side to provide a smooth, hydrophilic, absorbent wound contact layer.
Lyofoam meets all the criteria for the ideal wound dressing: maintains moist wound micro-environment, removes excess exudate, permits gaseous exchange, provides thermal insulation, avoids trauma at dressing changes, is impermeable to micro-organisms and is free from particulate and toxic contaminants. In addition, Lyofoam is easy to use and economical.
Benefits of Use
- Maintains the optimum wound environment for rapid healing
- Hydrophilic wound contact area absorbs exudate and allows fluid to evaporate, avoiding maceration
- Enables oxygen and carbon dioxide to diffuse freely across the wound surface, to help avoid anaerobic infection
- Does not allow newly-formed epithelium to penetrate, avoiding wound trauma during dressing changes
- Maintains a constant, optimal temperature over the wound
- Quick and easy to apply and remove
- Hydrophobic outer layer prevents ‘strike through’ and reduces risk of secondary infection
NOTE: Do not cover Lyofoam with occlusive films or tapes, as these reduce water vapour loss, which may impair the effectiveness of the dressing.
Lyofoam is a polyurethane foam wound dressing used in the treatment of light to moderately exuding wounds such as leg ulcers, pressure sores, post-operative and traumatic wound sites, burns and skin grafts.