Exploring the Role of Polyurethane and Polyvinyl Alcohol Foams in Wound Care

Foam dressings have been very popular for more than 30 years. Clinicians have found them especially useful for managing exuding wounds and as interface dressings for negative pressure wound therapy. There is a broad range of dressing forms available that are adaptable for difficult areas and for differing applications. The focus of this chapter is on the chemistry, properties, and clinical indications and contraindications of the most commonly used polyurethane and polyvinyl alcohol foams