Aquacel Ribbon Dressing

AQUACEL Ribbon is a sterile, highly absorbent Hydrofiber gelling fibre dressing with strengthening fibre, specifically designed for the management of cavity, tunnelling and other deeper exuding wounds.

The dressing is made from sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) with regenerated cellulose strengthening fibre. On contact with wound fluid, it absorbs exudate and transforms into a soft, cohesive gel that conforms closely to the wound space.

This helps manage exudate, maintain a moist wound-healing environment and support autolytic debridement, while the strengthening fibre gives the ribbon additional wet integrity to facilitate removal from deeper wounds.

Key features:

• Hydrofiber cavity wound dressing
• Specifically designed in a narrow ribbon format
• Made from sodium carboxymethylcellulose
• Contains regenerated cellulose strengthening fibre
• Highly absorbent
• Forms a soft cohesive gel on contact with wound exudate
• Conforms closely to the wound cavity
• Helps fill dead space as the dressing absorbs fluid and expands
• Helps retain exudate within the dressing
• Helps maintain a moist wound-healing environment
• Supports autolytic debridement
• Helps protect newly formed tissue
• Strengthened for improved wet integrity
• Designed to facilitate removal substantially intact
• Suitable for appropriate:
  • Cavity wounds
  • Tunnelling wounds
  • Sinus wounds
  • Abscess cavities following appropriate treatment
• Requires a suitable secondary dressing
• Can remain in place for up to 7 days, depending on clinical circumstances
• Sterile
• Single use
• Medical device

Hydrofiber Technology:

AQUACEL Ribbon incorporates ConvaTec's Hydrofiber Technology.

When the dressing comes into contact with wound fluid:

1. The CMC fibres rapidly absorb wound exudate.
2. The fibres swell and form a soft cohesive gel.
3. The gel conforms closely to the contours of the wound cavity.
4. Exudate is retained within the dressing.
5. The moist environment supports natural wound healing.
6. Non-viable tissue can be softened and removed through autolytic debridement.

The close conformity of the gelled dressing also helps minimise empty spaces between the dressing and wound surface.

Strengthening fibre:

AQUACEL Ribbon contains regenerated cellulose fibre for additional strength.

This helps the dressing:

• Maintain integrity after absorbing wound exudate
• Resist fragmentation during removal
• Facilitate removal substantially in one piece
• Reduce the risk of dressing material remaining within a cavity

This is particularly important in deeper wounds where complete retrieval of the dressing is essential.

Suitable wound types include:

AQUACEL Ribbon may be used for appropriate exuding cavity and deeper wounds including:

• Diabetic foot ulcers
• Pressure ulcers / pressure injuries
• Surgical wounds
• Traumatic wounds
• Tunnelling wounds
• Sinus wounds
• Abscess cavities following incision and drainage
• Pilonidal sinus wounds following appropriate treatment
• Appropriate fistula-type wounds
• Other cavity wounds requiring an absorbent gelling fibre dressing

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

How to use:

AQUACEL Ribbon should be used according to the manufacturer's Instructions for Use and the patient's wound-care plan.

1. Cleanse the wound with an appropriate wound cleanser.
2. Assess the wound depth and cavity.
3. Select the appropriate ribbon width.
4. Gently place AQUACEL Ribbon into the wound cavity.
5. Do not tightly pack the wound.
6. Fill a deep cavity to approximately 80% of its volume, allowing space for the dressing to expand as it absorbs wound fluid.
7. Leave at least 2.5cm of ribbon outside the wound to facilitate easy retrieval.
8. Cover with an appropriate secondary dressing.
9. Secure according to wound location, exudate level and clinical requirements.

Important – do not over-pack:

AQUACEL Ribbon expands when it absorbs wound exudate.

Deep wounds should therefore only be filled to approximately:

80% of the wound cavity

Over-packing may place unnecessary pressure on the wound tissue.

Always leave at least:

2.5cm outside the wound

to make complete removal easier.

Secondary dressing required:

AQUACEL Ribbon requires an appropriate secondary dressing to:

• Hold the ribbon in position
• Manage additional exudate
• Protect the wound
• Maintain an appropriate wound environment

The secondary dressing should be selected according to the wound and exudate level.

Options may include an appropriate:

• AQUACEL Foam dressing
• Foam dressing
• Absorbent dressing
• Moisture-retentive cover dressing

depending on the individual wound.

Dressing changes:

AQUACEL Ribbon may remain in place for up to:

7 days

where clinically appropriate.

Change earlier if:

• Leakage occurs
• The secondary dressing becomes saturated
• Excessive bleeding develops
• Pain increases
• Infection is suspected
• The dressing becomes displaced
• The wound requires reassessment

Highly exuding wounds may require more frequent dressing changes.

Removal:

At each dressing change:

1. Remove the secondary dressing.
2. Locate the exposed end of AQUACEL Ribbon.
3. Gently withdraw the dressing from the cavity.
4. Ensure the entire ribbon has been removed.
5. Reassess and cleanse the wound as clinically appropriate.

The strengthening fibre helps AQUACEL Ribbon maintain sufficient integrity for retrieval.

If the dressing has dried or is difficult to remove:

• Thoroughly moisten it with sterile saline or clean water
• Allow the gelled fibres to soften
• Remove gently

Do not forcibly remove dried dressing material from the wound.

Dry cavity wounds:

AQUACEL Ribbon is designed primarily for exuding wounds.

Where a cavity wound is dry and use of AQUACEL Ribbon has been specifically selected by a healthcare professional, the dressing may require pre-moistening with sterile saline and an appropriate moisture-retentive secondary dressing.

Clinical assessment is important because a different dressing may be more suitable for a persistently dry wound.

Infection:

Standard AQUACEL Ribbon is not an antimicrobial or silver-containing dressing.

If infection is present or suspected, the wound should be appropriately assessed and treated.

Signs may include:

• Increasing redness
• Swelling
• Increasing pain
• Heat
• Purulent discharge
• Offensive odour
• Fever
• Increasing exudate
• Wound deterioration

Where an antimicrobial AQUACEL cavity dressing is clinically required, AQUACEL Ag+ Ribbon is a separate silver-containing product.

Important information:

Do not:

• Tightly pack a cavity wound
• Leave the entire ribbon inside the wound without an accessible retrieval portion
• Reuse
• Re-sterilise
• Use if the sterile package is damaged or previously opened
• Use beyond the stated expiry date

At every dressing change, ensure that all dressing material has been completely removed.

Product type: Hydrofiber / Gelling Fibre Cavity Dressing

Material: Sodium carboxymethylcellulose with regenerated cellulose strengthening fibre

Technology: Hydrofiber Technology

Format: Ribbon

Primary use: Exuding cavity and deeper wounds

Forms gel with wound exudate: Yes

Supports autolytic debridement: Yes

Antimicrobial: No

Recommended cavity fill: Approximately 80%

Minimum ribbon left outside cavity: 2.5cm

Secondary dressing required: Yes

Maximum wear time: Up to 7 days

Sterile: Yes

Single use: Yes

Current UK sizes and codes

AQUACEL Ribbon – 1cm × 45cm

• Pack size: 5 dressings
• Current ConvaTec product code: 420127
• PIP code: 361-5978
• NHS code: ELY368
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030800027

AQUACEL Ribbon – 2cm × 45cm

• Pack size: 5 dressings
• Current ConvaTec product code: 403770
• PIP code: 240-8565
• NHS code: ELY013
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030800025

Manufacturer: ConvaTec Ltd

AQUACEL Ribbon should be selected according to wound depth, cavity size and exudate level. Deep, diabetic, infected or otherwise complex wounds should be assessed and monitored by an appropriately trained healthcare professional.