Rationale: Polymeric membrane dressings* have been shown to help reduce wound pain not only during dressing changes, but also while the dressings are in place, by inhibiting nociceptor activity at the wound site. Glycerol in the dressings prevents sticking. These dressings contain a gentle cleanser, so after the initial treatment no manual wound cleansing is usually needed, allowing for less disruption and cooling of the new growth at the wound bed and very quick and easy dressing changes. Therefore, polymeric membrane wound filler was initiated.

Methodology: Polymeric membrane wound filler was placed into the cavity and topped with an abdominal pad secured with tape. Dressings were changed every-other-day with no wound cleansing needed or performed. Later, dressing changes were decreased to 2-3x/week. Silver polymeric membrane wound filler replaced the standard filler once a week to control bioburden.

Results: Pain during dressing changes immediately dropped to 0–1. After nine days, the wound was fully granulating. The wound remains clean and is now only 1.5cm x1cmx0.5cm with scant serosanguineous drainage.

Conclusion: Use of polymeric membrane dressings dramatically diminished the patient’s pain and promoted brisk granulation of her wound. Painful wound cleansing was completely eliminated, the dressings only had to be changed 2–4x/week instead of 14x/week and the wound closed steadily without infection or other complications, saving material costs and clinician time and greatly enhancing the patient’s quality of life.

*PolyMem Wic^®, PolyMem Wic^® Silver^™