Surgical Dressings

• Surgical dressing: Surgical dressing refers to the materials used to cover and protect wounds, incisions, or injuries during surgical procedures or as part of wound care.
• These dressings serve several purposes, including preventing infection, promoting healing, absorbing excess fluids, and providing a barrier against external contaminants.
• Surgical dressings can vary in composition and may include sterile gauze, bandages, adhesive strips, and other specialized materials.

Cotton

Synonyms:

Cotton wool, Surgical cotton, Absorbent cotton, Purified cotton, Kapus

Biological Source:

Derived from the epidermal trichomes (hairs) of the seeds of Gossypium herbaceum and other Gossypium species.

Family:

Malvaceae

Chemical Constituents:

• Raw cotton: ~90% cellulose, 7-8% moisture, wax, fat, and remains of protoplasm.
• Purified cotton: Almost entirely cellulose (6-7% moisture).
• Other components: Proteins, Pectins, Waxes, Fats, Ash.

Uses/Applications:

• Wound dressings – Used in bandages due to high absorbency.
• Surgical products – Gowns, masks, medical textiles.
• Drug delivery systems – Modified cotton used for controlled drug release.

Silk

Synonyms:

Silk, Resham

Biological Source:

Obtained from the cocoons of Bombyx mori and other silk-producing species.

Family:

Bombycidae

Chemical Constituents:

Uses/Applications:

• Sutures & Ligatures – Strong and biocompatible for surgical stitches.
• Wound healing – Silk dressings promote healing and prevent infection.
• Drug delivery systems – Used as a carrier for controlled drug release.

Wool

Synonyms:

Wool, Fleece, Yarn, Uun, Woolen Hair

Biological Source:

Obtained from the fleece of Ovis aries (sheep).

Family:

Bovidae

Chemical Constituents:

Uses/Applications:

• Wound dressings – Provides a moist, sterile healing environment.
• Drug delivery systems – Absorbs and releases drugs efficiently.
• Other uses – Insulation, filtration (air & water).

Regenerated Fibers

Synonyms:

Regenerated cellulose, Rayon, Viscose Rayon

Biological Source:

Man-made fibers processed from natural cellulose (wood pulp, bamboo, cotton linters).

Chemical Constituents:

• Major: Cellulose (polysaccharide).
• Minor: Hemicellulose.

Uses/Applications:

• Wound dressings – Maintains a moist environment for faster healing.
• Drug delivery systems – Used in controlled drug release.
• Textiles & Medical Products – Found in wipes, filters, surgical textiles.

Sutures

Sutures are sterile threads, strings, or strands specially prepared and sterilized for use in surgery to sew tissue together like skin, muscles, tendons etc. by a needle.

Ideal requirements of sutures:

1. They should be stored in dry, well-ventilated place at a temperature, not exceeding 25°c.
2. It must be sterile before use.
3. It should not cause irritation.
4. It should have finest possible gauge (diameter).
5. It should have adequate strength.
6. If absorbable suture, time of absorption should be known.
7. It is used only single time.
8. It must be non-toxic to tissue.

Catgut

Catgut, commonly called sutures, are sterile surgical threads that are used to repair cuts.

• Biological Source: Derived from the submucosal layer of intestines of animals: Sheep (Ovis aries), Cows (Bos taurus), Goats, Pigs, Horses.
• Chemical Constituents: Collagen fibers.
• Uses: Absorbable sutures in surgeries (abdominal, orthopedic, dental).

Ligatures

Ligatures are specially prepared and sterilized threads used to tie off blood vessels or other tissues. They are typically used without a needle.

• Derived from Bombyx mori (silkworm). (Traditionally)
• Non-absorbable, strong, but can harbor bacteria.
• Used in hemostasis, tissue closure, vascular surgery, organ transplantation.