Calcium Sodium Alginate Wound Dressing

Convatec kaltostat calcium sodium alginate wound dressing is a soft sterile dressing made of calcium sodium alginate fiber that converts to a firm gel or fiber mat on contact with fluid.

Calcium sodium alginate wound dressing.

They are either applied directly or soaked in a saline solution before application. The sheets are available in various sizes and are used for shallow wounds. It is easy and painless to remove with minimal tissue trauma. The rope or ribbon shaped dressings are recommended for deep wounds and are packed into the wound itself.

Made from natural alginate fibers derived from brown seaweed calcium alginate dressings release calcium salts of alginic mannuronic and gularonic acids that when combined with the sodium rich fluids found in wounds creates a reaction resulting in the formation of a soluble sodium gel. It is designed to absorb exudate and to help control minor bleeding. The dressing absorbs approximately 20 times its weight in exudate. Alginates are therefore absorbent wound dressings that usually contain calcium and sodium fibers derived from carbohydrate sources usually seaweed.

An individual dressing is able to absorb up to 20 times its own weight. Calcium alginate dressings come in two forms. Kendall calcium alginate dressings are designed to interact with sodium in wounds to create an ionic exchange and help jump start the epitheliazation process.