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 Size and Ordering Information

References

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.

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.

References

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.

With many years of clinical evidence in the form of published clinical studies, case studies and internal clinical evaluations, ALLEVYN has been proven to be successful in healing patients wounds across a wide range of indications, wound shapes, sizes and locations.  

In the table below there is a summary of the key pieces of evidence. Click on the title to view the poster.

Difficult to dress application poster (PDF - 1Mb)
ALLEVYN Adhesive Technical Information Sheet (PDF - 1 Mb)

ALLEVYN Adhesive application to the leg

ALLEVYN Sacrum application to the sacrum

ALLEVYN Adhesive application to the finger

Removal of ALLEVYN Adhesive dressings

How to Apply ALLEVYN Adhesive

1. Cleanse wound in accordance with local clinical protocol.
2. Select an appropriate dressing size. ALLEVYN Adhesive can be cut to dress wounds on the heel, elbows and other awkward areas.
3. Prepare and clean the skin surrounding the wound area and remove excess moisture. Any excess hair should be clipped to ensure close approximation to the wound. SKIN-PREP™ wipes may be used prior to application of ALLEVYN Adhesive where fragile skin is involved. 
4. Remove one of the protector films from ALLEVYN Adhesive and anchor the adhesive side of the dressing to the skin.
5. Remove the remaining protector film and smooth the dressing over the remainder of the wound without stretching, ensuring there are no creases. The pad area of the dressing must be adhered across the entire surface of the wound.
6. If the dressing has been cut ensure any exposed foam areas are covered with an appropriate film dressing taking care not to cover the entire dressing.
7. When positioning ALLEVYN Adhesive Sacrum, place the narrow end of the dressing a minimum of 2cm (3/4in.) above the anal sphincter, then smooth the dressing over the sacrum.

Frequency of Change

During the early stages of wound management ALLEVYN Adhesive should be inspected according to local clinical protocol. Where the product is used on infected wounds the infection should be inspected and treated as per local clinical protocol.

Dressings can be left in place for up to 7 days depending on the condition of the wound and the surrounding skin or until exudate is visible and approaches to within 2cm / 3/16in. of the edge of the dressing pad, whichever is sooner. Local clinical protocols should also be taken into consideration. 

 
 No need to change  

 
 No need to change  

 
 Exudate within 2cm of the edge of the pad requires changing

If dressings are applied to the sacral area, they may be left in place for up to 5 days, however, due to the increased potential for contamination and infection in this area, increased monitoring of dressing adherence may be required as per local clinical protocols.

The decision of when to change should be dependent upon clinical assessment and local protocols should also be taken into consideration. 

Dressing Removal

To remove ALLEVYN Adhesive, lift one edge of the dressing and slowly peel back until completely removed from the wound. Sacral dressings should be removed from the top edge and down towards the anus to minimise the potential for faecal contamination.