Kerracel Gelling Fibre Dressings

Kerracel is a sterile, highly absorbent gelling fibre wound dressing made from 100% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) fibres, designed for the management of moderately to highly exuding acute and chronic wounds.

On contact with wound exudate, Kerracel absorbs fluid and forms a soft gel that conforms closely to the wound bed. Its vertical absorption helps lock wound fluid within the dressing and reduce lateral spread towards the wound margins, helping protect the surrounding skin from maceration.

The unstitched construction allows the dressing to micro-contour closely to the wound surface, while its wet strength helps facilitate removal substantially intact.

Key features:

• Gelling fibre wound dressing
• Made from 100% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) fibres
• Suitable for moderately to highly exuding wounds
• Absorbs and retains high levels of wound exudate
• Forms a soft gel on contact with wound fluid
• Helps maintain a moist wound-healing environment
• Predominantly vertical fluid absorption
• Helps reduce lateral spread of exudate
• Helps protect periwound skin from maceration
• Highly conformable
• Unstitched construction
• Micro-contours to the wound bed
• Helps minimise dead space between the wound and dressing
• Maintains integrity when wet
• Designed to facilitate removal intact
• Can be cut to shape
• Ribbon version available for cavity wounds
• Suitable for use under compression therapy
• Can assist with control of minor superficial bleeding
• Maximum wear time of up to 7 days, depending on wound condition and exudate
• Sterile
• Single use
• Medical device

How Kerracel works:

Kerracel consists entirely of hydrophilic CMC fibres.

When wound exudate enters the dressing:

1. The fibres rapidly absorb wound fluid.
2. The CMC swells and forms a soft cohesive gel.
3. The gel conforms closely to the contours of the wound bed.
4. Exudate is absorbed predominantly vertically and retained within the dressing.
5. This helps limit lateral movement of fluid towards the surrounding skin.
6. The moist environment supports the body's natural wound-healing processes.
7. The dressing retains sufficient wet integrity to support clean removal.

The close conformity of the gelled dressing also helps reduce spaces between the dressing and wound surface where wound fluid can collect.

Suitable wound types include:

Kerracel is indicated for the management of moderately to highly exuding acute and chronic wounds, including:

• Leg ulcers
• Pressure ulcers / pressure injuries
• Diabetic foot ulcers
• Surgical wounds
• Post-operative wounds
• Donor sites
• Cavity wounds
• Traumatic wounds
• Oncology wounds where clinically appropriate
• Superficial burns
• Partial-thickness burns
• Wounds with minor superficial bleeding

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

For example:

• Venous leg ulcers may require compression therapy
• Diabetic foot ulcers may require pressure off-loading
• Pressure injuries require pressure redistribution
• Arterial or mixed-aetiology wounds require appropriate vascular assessment

How to use – flat wounds:

Kerracel should be used according to the manufacturer's Instructions for Use and the patient's wound-management plan.

1. Assess and cleanse the wound according to appropriate clinical practice.
2. Dry the surrounding skin.
3. Select an appropriately sized Kerracel dressing.
4. If necessary, cut the dressing to the required size or shape.
5. Apply Kerracel directly to the wound bed.
6. Ensure good contact between the dressing and the wound surface.
7. Cover with an appropriate secondary dressing.
8. Secure according to the wound location, exudate level and treatment plan.
9. Compression therapy may be applied where clinically indicated.

Secondary dressing:

Kerracel is primarily a wound-contact / primary dressing and normally requires an appropriate secondary dressing.

The secondary dressing should be selected according to:

• Exudate level
• Wound size and depth
• Wound location
• Condition of the surrounding skin
• Need for fixation
• Whether compression therapy is being used

Suitable secondary dressings may include appropriately selected:

• Foam dressings
• Superabsorbent dressings
• Bordered dressings
• Retention bandages

depending on clinical requirements.

Cavity wounds – Kerracel Ribbon:

A 2.5cm × 45cm Kerracel Ribbon is available for deeper or cavity wounds.

When using the ribbon:

1. Cleanse the cavity according to the wound-care protocol.
2. Gently place the ribbon into the wound.
3. Do not pack the cavity tightly.
4. Allow room for the dressing to swell as it absorbs exudate.
5. Leave sufficient dressing visible or accessible outside the wound to facilitate complete removal.
6. Cover with an appropriate secondary dressing.

At each dressing change, ensure that all dressing material has been removed from the wound.

Use under compression:

Kerracel is suitable for use beneath compression bandaging where compression has been clinically indicated.

This can make it appropriate for exuding venous leg ulcers following suitable vascular assessment.

Kerracel itself does not provide compression.

Minor bleeding:

Kerracel may be used to help control minor bleeding in superficial wounds.

It must not be relied upon for:

• Heavy bleeding
• Persistent bleeding
• Arterial bleeding
• Significant haemorrhage

Significant or unexplained bleeding requires appropriate clinical assessment and haemostatic treatment.

Dressing changes:

Kerracel may remain in place for up to:

7 days

depending on:

• Wound condition
• Exudate level
• Dressing saturation
• Condition of the secondary dressing
• Condition of the surrounding skin
• Clinical judgement

Change sooner if:

• The dressing reaches its absorption capacity
• Exudate reaches the dressing edge
• Leakage occurs
• The secondary dressing becomes saturated
• The dressing becomes displaced
• The wound requires reassessment
• Infection or deterioration is suspected

Heavily exuding wounds may require more frequent dressing changes, particularly during the early stages of treatment.

Removal:

When adequately hydrated by wound exudate, Kerracel forms a soft gel and normally maintains sufficient integrity for straightforward removal.

If the dressing has dried or adhered because exudate levels have reduced:

1. Moisten the dressing with sterile saline.
2. Allow it to soften.
3. Remove gently.

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

Dry wounds:

Kerracel requires wound fluid to form its characteristic gel and is intended primarily for moderately to highly exuding wounds.

A different dressing may be more appropriate for a dry or minimally exuding wound.

Infection:

Standard Kerracel is not an antimicrobial dressing.

If wound infection is suspected, appropriate clinical assessment and treatment are required.

Signs may include:

• Increasing redness
• Swelling
• Increasing pain
• Heat around the wound
• Purulent discharge
• Offensive odour
• Fever
• Increasing exudate
• Rapid wound deterioration

Kerracel does not replace appropriate antimicrobial treatment where this is required.

A separate Kerracel Ag range is available where a silver-containing antimicrobial gelling fibre dressing is clinically indicated.

Important information:

Do not use in patients with a known hypersensitivity to the dressing material.

Do not:

• Reuse
• Re-sterilise
• Use if the sterile packaging is damaged or previously opened
• Use after the expiry date

Each dressing is intended for single use only.

Product type: Gelling Fibre Wound Dressing

Material: 100% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) fibres

Antimicrobial: No

Exudate level: Moderate to high

Forms gel with exudate: Yes

Fluid handling: Predominantly vertical absorption and retention

Can be cut: Yes

Suitable for cavity wounds: Yes – ribbon presentation available

Suitable under compression: Yes

Suitable for minor superficial bleeding: Yes

Maximum wear time: Up to 7 days

Sterile: Yes

Single use: Yes

Current UK sizes and codes

Kerracel – 5cm × 5cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• Product code: CWL1032
• Solventum product ID: 7100252933
• PIP / Drug Tariff code: 402-0517
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELY623

Kerracel – 10cm × 10cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• Product code: CWL1166
• Solventum product ID: 7100253173
• PIP / Drug Tariff code: 402-0525
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELY620

Kerracel – 15cm × 15cm

• Pack size: 5 dressings
• Product code: CWL1034
• Solventum product ID: 7100252936
• PIP / Drug Tariff code: 402-0533
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELY621

Kerracel Ribbon – 2.5cm × 45cm

• Pack size: 5 dressings
• Product code: CWL1035
• Solventum product ID: 7100252937
• PIP / Drug Tariff code: 402-0541
• NHS Supply Chain code: ELY622

Brand: 3M™ Kerracel™

Current brand owner: Solventum

Kerracel should be selected according to wound type, depth and exudate level. Chronic, diabetic, vascular, infected, bleeding or otherwise complex wounds should be assessed and monitored by an appropriately trained healthcare professional.

Product Information Leaflet