Wound Bed Preparation (WBP) can be described as the management of the wound to accelerate endogenous healing or to facilitate the effectiveness of other therapeutic measures. The 4 basic aspects of WBP can now be represented by an acronym, TIME. T= tissue (non-viable or deficient). I= infection or inflammation. M= moisture control. E= epidermal margin. Focusing on the “M” in TIME, there are numerous absorbent dressings that are intended to fulfill this need. Typically exudate is caused by the breakdown of necrotic tissue (via enzymatic, autolytic or biological debridement), an inflammatory response contributed to microbial contamination/infection or edema due to venous disease. The effective management of wound exudate is an essential function of wound dressings for use on exuding wounds. Failure to manage wound exudate can result in leaking of excess fluid under the dressing. This fluid is susceptible to leakage and may result in maceration to the surrounding skin. An overly absorbent dressing may dry out the wound. The purpose of this study is to investigate the moisture control properties of a novel foam dressing and its performance in the treatment of traumatic wounds. The ideal wound healing environment is provided by a dressing that maintains a moist wound and warm conditions at the wound surface, providing the following advantages:

• Gaseous exchange/passage of water vapor. • Prevents microbial attack. • Does not shed fibers of leach toxic materials into the wound. • Absorbs excess exudate. • Removal is trauma-free.

Limbs often incur traumatic injuries and the orthopedic group typically treats these acute wounds. However, very few orthopedic surgeons practice moist wound healing. The majority of orthopedic surgeons stick to the use of “antiseptics and gauze” for treating wounds, as taught by their senior surgeons. Proof of this is demonstrated in the following series of case studies.