CUTINOVA^◊ is derived from the Latin for 'new skin' (cutis = skin, nova = new).

Selective absorption is the process by which CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro takes up mainly water from wound exudate, leaving the patient's own growth factors and other natural proteins in the wound⁶. Growth factors and proteins are known to be essential agents in wound healing^7.

Growth factors control the whole process of healing, from early inflammation, through to wound closure. They are an especially important component of wound fluid and occur naturally in wound exudate⁶. Enzymes are necessary for wound debridement and to allow cell movement through tissue, enabling blood vessel growth and re-epithelialisation to occur. Extracellular matrix molecules facilitate cell movement and are essential for the building of new tissue, giving the healing wound structural integrity.

Selective absorption enables CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro to concentrate these proteins in the wound fluid rather than taking them up into the dressing. This effect has been demonstrated in vitro, where CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro showed an approximate two-fold increase in the concentration of proteins in artificial wound fluid⁶

It has been demonstrated that CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro  has significantly increased the concentration of both protein and growth factors in wound fluid. Such concentrations have not been found with any other dressings tested⁶.

Growth factors are an especially important component of wound fluid and occur naturally in wound exudate⁶. They are a type of protein that help tissue repair by encouraging cell division and growth.

Growth factors are important for wound healing because they promote cellular division and growth. They are an especially important component of wound fluid and occur naturally in wound exudate⁶. It is thought that growth factors initiate attraction of cells into the wound and are critical to all aspects of tissue repair⁷.

The selective absorption of CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro means that the patient's own growth factors are concentrated in the wound. Growth factors help to make a contribution to the rate of wound healing. The process of selective absorption might therefore explain the beneficial effects of CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro in the healing of wounds.

Chronic wounds have lower levels of important growth factors than acute wounds. This could be one of the reasons why chronic wounds can take longer to heal.

Yes. Growth factors can be applied topically as drugs to stimulate the wound healing process. However, CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro concentrates the body's own growth factors.

CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro is composed of a special polyurethane matrix, which has a high water-absorbing capacity and low protein absorbing capacity. CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro is specifically designed to attract and hold water molecules. This means that CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro selectively takes up mainly water, leaving the patients own growth factors and other proteins behind in the wound.

No, CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro does not cause pressure on the wound bed because the dressing swells in a controlled manner.

CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro promotes autolytic debridement as it is a moist wound healing dressing. However, Smith & Nephew offers products specifically for wound debridement and wound bed preparation.

CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro can be left in place for up to 7 days, depending on the nature of the wound and the level of exudate.

CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro can be secured in place with OPSITE^◊ Flexifix around the edges of the dressing.

CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro can be effectively used in combination with hydrogels such as INTRASITE^◊ Gel.

No, water is absorbed in a controlled manner to ensure a moist, wound healing environment is always maintained. CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro absorbs only excess water, so will not dry out a wound.

No, CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro is semi-occlusive. It is waterproof and acts as a bacterial barrier, but allows the transpiration of water vapour, thereby avoiding maceration.

CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro selectively absorbs excess water from the wound bed which is then bound within the polyurethane matrix. It cannot be squeezed out even under compression. CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro has therefore been shown to reduce the risk of maceration¹.

CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro is a clean successor to hydrocolloids, as it does not break down in the wound. CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro offers the benefits of a hydrocolloid, but also offers a clean, fresh and advanced treatment.

CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro is indicated for use on leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, superficial and partial thickness burns and diabetic foot ulcers, where the surrounding skin is intact.

CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro is inherently adhesive, but loses this quality when it comes into contact with wound fluid. For this reason, it does not stick or adhere to the wound (provided that the dressing is used appropriately).

CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro absorbs and retains fluid even under compression. Fluid is absorbed and then bound within the matrix, making it suitable for use under compression.

No. Unlike many hydrocolloids, CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro does not involve any ingredients of animal origin.

CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro is sterilised using gamma radiation.

The shelf life of CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro is 5 years.

No. CUTINOVA^◊ Hydro should not be re-sterilised. Each dressing is sterile and for single use only. If the pouch is damaged, the dressing should be discarded.