The effects on superficial wounds in domestic pigs of (1) two different occlusive dressings, (2) nonocclusive wet to dry gauze dressings, and (3) air exposure were compared. Collagen synthesis and reepithelialixation were increased in the wounds treated with occlusive dressings. Re-epitheliahzation was increased beneath both the oxygen-impermeable and the oxygen-permeable dressing. When they were removed the wet to dry gauze dressing and one of the occlusive dressings often damaged the new
epidermis.
Hydrogels, due to their excellent biochemical and mechnical property, have shown attractive advantages in the field of wound dressings. However, a comprehensive review of the functional hydrogel as a wound dressing is still lacking. This work first summarizes the skin wound healing process and relates evaluation parameters and then reviews the advanced functions of hydrogel dressings such as antimicrobial property, adhesion and hemostasis, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation, substance delivery, self-healing, stimulus response, conductivity, and the recently emerged wound monitoring feature, and the strategies adopted to achieve these functions are all classified and discussed. Furthermore, applications of hydrogel wound dressing for the treatment of different types of wounds such as incisional wound and the excisional wound are summarized. Chronic wounds are also mentioned, and the focus of attention on infected wounds, burn wounds, and diabetic wounds is discussed. Finally, the future directions of hydrogel wound dressings for wound healing are further proposed.