Clinical

Cerdak wound dressings are used for the treatment of acute and chronic wounds. The cause of the wound does not influence the action of Cerdak. The normal surgical principles of wound care should be practiced with the use of Cerdak except that minimal or no handling of the wound is recommended during the course of application of Cerdak wound dressings. This is to preserve the natural regeneration of cells during the healing process.

How to apply Cerdak ceramic wound dressing:

Normal wound care protocol should be followed for the assessment, preparation and dressing of the wound which includes standard debridement practices if required.  

The following should also be considered when using Cerdak ceramic dressings:

  • Place the Cerdak dressing over the entire surface of the wound.  More than one pad can be used to cover the entire area.
  • The shiny side of the dressing should be placed on the wound to prevent sticking upon removal.
  • Dressings should be changed when saturated.  50%-70% discoloration is a good indication.  Without inspection a general guideline for replacement of dressing is 24 hours or less in highly exudating wounds and 24 -72 hours in moderate to low exudating wounds.  Stacking of dressings can be done or high volume products like Cerdak Cavity can be used to increase the absorption capacity in highly exudating wounds.
  • Do not use an ointment or topical agent as it will affect the absorbing and adsorbing properties of the ceramic.  Cerdak ceramic dressings can be used in conjunction with a debriding agent if required for the debriding of necrotic tissue.
  • The strong capillary action of Cerdak will prevent leakage and the wound will present clean on dressing changes.  This will reduce the requirement for cleaning with consequent damage to new tissue during dressing changes.

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Post-surgical care:

  • Prevents infection – Charged ceramic surface binds to bacteria (adsorption).
  • Reduces inflammation – Cerdak removes micro-organisms and elements causing the inflammation through absorption and adsorption.
  • Prevents scarring – Cerdak allows the wound to advance from inflammation to cell-proliferation phase rapidly and maintains an optimum wound bed.

Removal of bacterial load from chronic infected wounds:

Cerdak removes bacteria using its bacterial binding properties rather than killing the bacteria by using a microbial agent. The advantage is that no damage to functional structures is caused and no endo-toxins or antimicrobial resistance develops. Reduction of the bacterial load will reduce (chronic) inflammation and will allow the wound to advance from inflammation to cell-proliferation phase and maintain an optimum wound bed.

Promote the supply of oxygen to oxygen-deprived wounds:

While it is important for the wound to progress from the inflammation phase to cell proliferation, it is essential for it to be oxygenated throughout the process.  In the case of diabetes and other arterial diseases, systemic supply is compromised and the wound can only rely on topically supplied oxygen.

While the charged surface and porous structure of the ceramic assist in creating ideal wound conditions, the loosely packed ceramic granules remain permeable and able to allow a supply of atmospheric oxygen to the wound.  Cerdak is effective in the treatment of oxygen deprived wounds.

Remove toxins and foreign elements from the wound bed:

Toxins present as hostile micro-organisms and the host tissue responds with production of exudate and inflammation to drive these organisms to the wound surface.  The porous ceramic granules in the Cerdak dressings absorb the exudate and bind the charged surface of the micro-organisms to separate them from the wound bed.

Protect surrounding tissue from the wound bed:

Cerdak will protect the surrounding tissue from the effect of wound or other leakage.  The unique management of fluid in the porous ceramic will also protect the wound from external fluid.  In the event of high fluid volumes, Cerdak Cavity dressings should be used due to a bigger reservoir for liquids.