Melgisorb Plus (loose)

Melgisorb Plus is a sterile, soft and highly absorbent calcium sodium alginate wound dressing designed for the management of moderately to heavily exuding wounds.

Made from calcium sodium alginate fibres, the dressing absorbs and retains wound exudate and transforms into a soft gel when it comes into contact with wound fluid or saline. This gel helps maintain a moist wound-healing environment while allowing the dressing to conform closely to the wound bed.

Melgisorb Plus also has haemostatic properties, making it suitable for wounds with minor bleeding where clinically appropriate.

Key features:

• Highly absorbent calcium sodium alginate dressing
• Suitable for moderately to heavily exuding wounds
• Absorbs and retains wound exudate
• Forms a soft gel when in contact with:
  • Wound exudate
  • Saline / sodium-containing solutions
• Helps maintain a moist wound-healing environment
• Helps support autolytic debridement
• High fluid-retention capacity
• Helps reduce the risk of periwound maceration
• Soft and pliable
• Conforms closely to the wound bed
• Can be cut to shape
• Good wet integrity
• Designed for straightforward removal
• Has haemostatic properties
• Cavity dressing available for deeper wounds
• Can be used under compression where clinically indicated
• Requires an appropriate secondary dressing
• Sterile
• Single use
• Medical device

How Melgisorb Plus works:

Melgisorb Plus consists of calcium sodium alginate fibres.

When the dressing contacts wound exudate:

1. The alginate fibres absorb wound fluid.
2. Sodium ions in the wound fluid interact with the calcium alginate fibres.
3. The dressing swells and forms a soft hydrophilic gel.
4. Exudate is retained within the dressing.
5. The gel conforms closely to the wound surface.
6. A moist environment is maintained, supporting natural wound-healing processes and autolytic debridement.

When properly gelled, Melgisorb Plus does not adhere firmly to the wound bed and can generally be removed without damaging newly forming tissue.

Suitable wound types include:

Melgisorb Plus is intended for moderately to heavily exuding partial- and full-thickness wounds, including:

• Pressure ulcers / pressure injuries
• Venous leg ulcers
• Arterial leg ulcers, following appropriate vascular assessment
• Diabetic foot ulcers
• Donor sites
• Post-operative wounds
• Traumatic wounds
• Dermal lesions
• Other appropriate exuding wounds

The dressing may also be used in wounds with minor bleeding because calcium alginate has haemostatic properties.

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

For example:

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

How to use – flat wounds:

Melgisorb Plus should be used by, or under the supervision of, an appropriately trained healthcare professional.

1. Cleanse the wound according to the appropriate wound-care protocol.
2. Dry the surrounding skin.
3. Select a dressing large enough to cover the wound bed.
4. If necessary, cut the dressing to the appropriate size or shape.
5. Apply Melgisorb Plus directly to the moist 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 and treatment plan.
9. Compression therapy may be applied where clinically indicated.

Deep and cavity wounds:

A Melgisorb Plus 3cm × 45cm cavity dressing is available for deeper wounds and cavities.

For cavity wounds:

1. Cut the cavity dressing to the required length if necessary.
2. Loosely place it into the wound cavity.
3. Do not tightly pack the wound.
4. Leave sufficient dressing accessible to allow complete removal.
5. Cover with an appropriate secondary dressing.

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

Secondary dressing required:

Melgisorb Plus normally requires an appropriate secondary dressing.

The secondary dressing should be chosen according to:

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

Dressing changes:

Change Melgisorb Plus when:

• The dressing reaches its absorption capacity
• The secondary dressing becomes saturated
• Leakage occurs
• The dressing becomes displaced
• The wound requires reassessment
• Clinical circumstances indicate a dressing change

Depending on the condition of the wound and the level of exudate, Melgisorb Plus may remain in place for several days.

Heavily exuding wounds will generally require more frequent dressing changes.

Removal:

When adequately gelled, Melgisorb Plus can normally be removed gently from the wound.

If the dressing has not fully gelled or has begun to dry:

1. Irrigate or moisten it with 0.9% normal saline.
2. Allow the dressing to soften.
3. Gently remove it from the wound.

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

Minor bleeding:

Melgisorb Plus has haemostatic properties and may assist with control of minor wound bleeding.

However, it should not be used on heavily bleeding wounds.

Significant, persistent or uncontrolled bleeding requires appropriate clinical assessment and haemostatic treatment.

Infection:

Melgisorb Plus is not an antimicrobial dressing.

If infection is suspected, the wound should be assessed and treated according to appropriate local clinical protocols.

Signs may include:

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

Melgisorb Plus does not replace appropriate antimicrobial or systemic treatment when required.

Do not use Melgisorb Plus:

• On dry wounds
• On third-degree burns
• For surgical implantation
• On heavily bleeding wounds
• In patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the dressing materials or components

Because alginate dressings require moisture to form a gel, a different dressing should normally be selected for dry wounds.

Important information:

Do not:

• Reuse
• Re-sterilise
• Use if the sterile barrier is damaged or previously opened
• Use beyond the stated expiry date

Each dressing is intended for single use only.

Product type: Calcium Sodium Alginate Wound Dressing

Material: Calcium sodium alginate fibres

Exudate level: Moderate to high

Forms gel with exudate: Yes

Haemostatic properties: Yes – for minor bleeding

Can be cut: Yes

Suitable for cavity wounds: Yes – cavity version available

Secondary dressing required: Yes

Suitable under compression: Yes, where clinically indicated

Sterile: Yes

Single use: Yes

Current UK sizes and codes

Melgisorb Plus – 5cm × 5cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• Mölnlycke REF: 252000
• PIP code: 384-2036
• NHS / NPC code: ELS585
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030200213

Melgisorb Plus – 10cm × 10cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• Mölnlycke REF: 252200
• PIP code: 384-2119
• NHS / NPC code: ELS586

Melgisorb Plus – 10cm × 20cm

• Pack size: 10 dressings
• Mölnlycke REF: 252500
• PIP code: 384-2101
• NHS / NPC code: ELS587
• BNF / dm+d code: 20030200215

Melgisorb Plus Cavity – 3cm × 45cm

• Pack size: 5 dressings
• Mölnlycke REF: 253500
• PIP code: 384-2127
• NHS / NPC code: ELS588

Manufacturer: Mölnlycke Health Care

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