Suprasorb A and Suprasorb A + Ag are sterile, highly absorbent calcium alginate wound dressings designed for the management of heavily exuding superficial and deep wounds.

When the alginate fibres come into contact with wound exudate, an ion exchange takes place and the dressing forms a soft gel. This gel absorbs and retains exudate, bacteria and wound debris while helping maintain a moist environment favourable to wound healing.

Two versions are available:

• Suprasorb A – standard calcium alginate dressing for highly exuding, non-infected wounds
• Suprasorb A + Ag – antimicrobial calcium alginate dressing containing ionic silver for highly exuding wounds that are infected or at risk of infection

Suprasorb A

Suprasorb A is a soft, highly absorbent calcium alginate dressing intended for non-infected superficial or deep wounds with high levels of exudate.

Its soft structure conforms closely to the wound bed and makes it suitable for both flat wounds and deeper wounds when the rope presentation is used.

Key features:

• Calcium alginate wound dressing
• Suitable for highly exuding wounds
• For superficial and deep wounds
• Forms a soft gel on contact with wound exudate
• Absorbs and retains high volumes of fluid
• Traps bacteria and cellular debris within the gel
• Helps maintain a moist wound-healing environment
• Soft and conformable
• Suitable during:
  • Exudation phase
  • Granulation phase
• Rope presentation available for deep or cavity wounds
• Requires an appropriate secondary dressing
• Maximum wear time of approximately 5–7 days
• Sterile
• Individually sealed
• Single use
• Medical device

Composition

Suprasorb A is made from:

• Calcium alginate fibres

How Suprasorb A works

When Suprasorb A comes into contact with wound exudate:

1. Sodium ions from the wound fluid exchange with calcium ions in the alginate fibres.
2. The dressing absorbs exudate.
3. The alginate fibres form a soft gel.
4. Wound debris and bacteria become trapped within the gel.
5. The resulting moist environment supports normal wound-healing processes.

The dressing's soft structure allows it to conform closely to irregular wound surfaces.

Suitable wound types

Suprasorb A is intended for non-infected wounds with high levels of exudate, including:

• Venous leg ulcers
• Arterial ulcers
• Diabetic ulcers
• Pressure ulcers / pressure injuries
• Skin graft donor sites

It is suitable during the:

• Exudation phase
• Granulation phase

The underlying cause of chronic wounds should also be appropriately assessed and treated.

How to use

1. Cleanse the wound according to the prescribed wound-care protocol.
2. Carefully dry the surrounding skin.
3. Select an appropriate size of Suprasorb A.
4. Place the dressing loosely onto the wound bed.
5. Ensure good contact with the wound without excessive compression.
6. Cover with an appropriate secondary dressing selected according to the amount of exudate.
7. Secure according to the wound location and treatment plan.

Deep and cavity wounds

For deep, gaping or cavity wounds, use Suprasorb A Rope.

The rope should be:

• Loosely positioned in the wound
• Allowed room to expand as it absorbs exudate
• Never tightly packed

Leave sufficient dressing accessible to ensure complete removal at the next dressing change.

Dressing changes

The dressing-change interval depends on:

• Wound condition
• Amount of exudate
• Secondary dressing
• Clinical assessment

Suprasorb A should not normally remain in the wound for longer than approximately:

5–7 days

Highly exuding wounds may require significantly more frequent dressing changes.

Infection

Standard Suprasorb A is not an antimicrobial dressing and the manufacturer's principal indication is for non-infected wounds.

If infection develops, the wound should be clinically reassessed.

Where antimicrobial alginate treatment is appropriate, Suprasorb A + Ag may be considered.

Suprasorb A + Ag

Suprasorb A + Ag is a sterile antimicrobial calcium alginate dressing containing ionic silver, designed for heavily exuding superficial or deep wounds that are infected or at risk of infection.

It combines the fluid-management properties of calcium alginate with antimicrobial silver.

Key features:

• Antimicrobial calcium alginate dressing
• Contains silver alginate fibres
• Contains 1.5% ionic silver
• Suitable for highly exuding wounds
• Intended for wounds:
  • With infection
  • At risk of infection
• Forms a soft gel on contact with exudate
• Absorbs and retains high levels of wound fluid
• Traps microorganisms within the gel
• Releases antimicrobial silver ions
• Helps reduce microbial load within the wound environment
• Broad antimicrobial activity demonstrated in vitro
• Manufacturer data includes activity against organisms such as:
  • MRSA
  • VRE
• Soft and conformable
• Suitable for superficial and deep wounds
• Rope version available for cavities
• Requires an appropriate secondary dressing
• Maximum wear time up to 7 days
• Sterile
• Individually sealed
• Single use
• Medical device

Composition

Suprasorb A + Ag contains:

• Calcium alginate fibres
• Silver alginate fibres
• 1.5% ionic silver

How Suprasorb A + Ag works

When the dressing contacts wound exudate:

1. The alginate absorbs wound fluid.
2. Sodium-calcium ion exchange causes the fibres to form a soft gel.
3. Bacteria and wound debris become incorporated within the gel.
4. Silver ions are released into the moist wound environment.
5. The silver provides antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of wound microorganisms.
6. Exudate remains contained within the dressing while an appropriately moist wound environment is maintained.

Suitable wound types

Suprasorb A + Ag is intended for highly exuding superficial or deep wounds that are infected or at risk of infection, including:

• Pressure ulcers / pressure injuries
• Venous leg ulcers
• Arterial ulcers
• Diabetic ulcers
• Post-operative wounds
• Skin graft donor sites
• Skin grafting sites
• Deep wounds
• Cavity wounds

It is suitable during:

• Exudation
• Granulation

How to use

1. Cleanse the wound according to the appropriate wound-care protocol.
2. Carefully dry the surrounding skin.
3. Apply Suprasorb A + Ag loosely to the wound.
4. For deep or gaping wounds, use the rope presentation where appropriate.
5. Cover with a suitable secondary dressing according to the level of exudate.
6. Secure according to local clinical practice.

Cavity wounds

Suprasorb A + Ag Rope is intended for deep or cavity wounds.

It should be:

• Loosely inserted
• Not tightly packed
• Left sufficiently accessible for complete removal

All dressing material must be accounted for and removed during dressing changes.

Secondary dressing

Both Suprasorb A and Suprasorb A + Ag require an appropriate secondary dressing.

The secondary dressing should be selected according to:

• Exudate level
• Wound depth
• Wound location
• Condition of surrounding skin

For infected wounds treated with Suprasorb A + Ag, an occlusive secondary dressing should only be used following appropriate clinical assessment.

Dressing changes

Suprasorb A + Ag may remain in place for up to:

7 days

depending on:

• Exudate level
• Infection status
• Wound condition
• Secondary dressing
• Clinical assessment

Change sooner if:

• The dressing reaches saturation
• Leakage occurs
• Exudate exceeds the capacity of the secondary dressing
• The wound needs reassessment
• Infection worsens
• The dressing becomes displaced

Antimicrobial treatment should be regularly reassessed to determine whether continued use of a silver dressing remains necessary.

Dry or lightly exuding wounds

These products are designed for wounds with high levels of exudate.

Do not use Suprasorb A + Ag on:

• Non-exuding wounds
• Lightly exuding wounds

A different dressing should be selected where there is insufficient wound moisture for the alginate dressing to gel adequately.

Removal

If adequately gelled, the dressing can normally be removed gently.

Where dressing material has dried or adhered:

1. Irrigate with normal saline or water according to local protocol.
2. Allow the alginate to soften.
3. Remove gently.

Do not forcibly remove dry dressing material from fragile healing tissue.

Contraindications

Do not use Suprasorb A or Suprasorb A + Ag in patients with a known:

• Sensitivity or hypersensitivity to any component of the dressing

For Suprasorb A + Ag, particular consideration should be given to whether ongoing silver treatment remains clinically indicated.

Important information

Do not:

• Tightly pack cavity wounds
• Use the standard Suprasorb A as a substitute for appropriate antimicrobial treatment of infection
• Reuse
• Re-sterilise
• Use if the sterile package is damaged
• Use after the expiry date

Chronic, diabetic, vascular, infected or otherwise complex wounds should be assessed and monitored by an appropriately trained healthcare professional.

Suprasorb A – Current UK Sizes and Codes

Suprasorb A Dressing – 5cm × 5cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• PIP code: 314-7600
• L&R product code: 20440
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS443

Suprasorb A Dressing – 10cm × 10cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• PIP code: 314-7592
• L&R product code: 20441
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS444

Suprasorb A Rope – 30cm / 2g

• Pack size: 5
• PIP code: 317-7618
• L&R product code: 20445
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS445

Suprasorb A + Ag – Current UK Sizes and Codes

Suprasorb A + Ag – 5cm × 5cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• PIP code: 344-3942
• L&R product code: 20570
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS446

Suprasorb A + Ag – 10cm × 10cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• PIP code: 344-3959
• L&R product code: 20571
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS447

Suprasorb A + Ag – 10cm × 20cm

• Pack size: 5 dressings
• PIP code: 344-3967
• L&R product code: 20572
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS448
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030200139

Suprasorb A + Ag Rope – 30cm / 2g

• Pack size: 5
• PIP code: 344-3975
• L&R product code: 20573
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELS449
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030800121

Manufacturer: Lohmann & Rauscher

Suprasorb A product type: Calcium Alginate Wound Dressing

Suprasorb A + Ag product type: Antimicrobial Silver Calcium Alginate Wound Dressing

Suprasorb A composition: Calcium alginate fibres

Suprasorb A + Ag composition: Calcium alginate fibres and silver alginate fibres containing 1.5% ionic silver

Exudate level: High

Forms gel: Yes

Suitable for cavities: Yes – rope presentations

Secondary dressing required: Yes

Sterile: Yes

Single use: Yes

Suprasorb A and Suprasorb A + Ag should be selected according to wound depth, exudate level and infection status. Suprasorb A is primarily intended for highly exuding non-infected wounds, while Suprasorb A + Ag is intended where infection or risk of infection makes antimicrobial silver treatment clinically appropriate.

Product Information Leaflet