Molnlycke Mepilex® Absorbent Soft Silicone Silver Dressing

Mepilex is a soft and highly conformable foam dressing that absorbs exudate and maintains a moist wound environment. The Safetac layer seals the wound edges, preventing the exudate to leak onto the surrounding skin, thus minimising the risk for maceration. The Safetac layer ensures that the dressing can be changed without damaging the wound or surrounding skin or exposing the patient to additional pain.

Benefits of Mepilex

• Minimises pain and trauma at dressing changes
• Stays in place allowing for “hands-free” to facilitate application of compression or retention bandages
• Well suited to be used under compression bandages
• Can be cut to suit various wound shapes and difficult-todress locations
• Promotes patient comfort during wear
• Can remain in place for several days depending on the condition of the wound
• Can be lifted and adjusted without losing its adherent properties
• Low potential for skin irritation and allergy
  

  
  Areas of use:
  

  
  Mepilex is designed for a wide range of exuding wounds such as leg and foot ulcers, pressure ulcers and traumatic wounds, e.g. skin tears and secondary healing wounds.
  

  
  Mepilex® Heel
  

  
  Mepilex Heel conforms well to the heel preventing exudate from pooling and causing maceration. Mepilex Heel is ideal for most shapes or sizes of feet.
  

  
  How to use
  

  
  Product description
  

  
  Mepilex is an absorbent soft silicone dressing. It consists of:
  - a soft silicone wound contact layer (Safetac®).
  - a flexible absorbent pad of polyurethane foam.
  - an outer film which is vapour permeable and waterproof.
  

  
  Safetac Technology
  

  
  Safetac is a patented soft silicone adhesive technology. On the wound, Safetac assures non-sticking and minimal trauma on removal even in critical situations when the exudate starts to dry out. On the skin, a dressing with Safetac has gentle but secure adhesion with no epidermal stripping or pain on removal.
  

  
  Mode of action
  

  
  Mepilex absorbs exudate, maintains a moist wound-healing environment and minimises the risk for maceration. As Mepilex maintains a moist wound environment, supporting debridement, there might be an initial increase in the wound size. This is normal and to be expected. In case studies, dressings with Safetac Technology have demonstrated to normalise dry and scaly surrounding skin. Due to the absorption properties Mepilex is suitable for use under compression bandaging.
  Mepilex gently expands as it takes up exudate. Mepilex can be used in combination with gels.
  

  
  Intended use
  

  
  Mepilex is designed for a wide range of exuding wounds such as leg and foot ulcers, pressure ulcers and traumatic wounds, e.g. skin tears and secondary healing wounds.
  

  
  Instructions for use
  

  
  1.Cleanse the wound in accordance with normal procedures.
  2.Dry the surrounding skin thoroughly.
  3.Remove the release films and apply the adherent side to the wound. Do not stretch.
  4.For best results, Mepilex should overlap dry surrounding skin by at least 2 cm. If required, Mepilex can be cut.
  5.When necessary, fixate Mepilex with a bandage or other fixation.
  

  
  Frequency of change
  

  
  Mepilex may be left in place for several days depending on the condition of the wound and surrounding skin, or as indicated by accepted clinical practice. A change in dressing regimen can result in an initial increased level of exudate which temporarily may require an increased change frequency.
  

  
  Precautions
  

  
  In case of clinical signs of infection the use of Mepilex may be continued if proper infection treatment is initiated. Mepilex should be stored in dry conditions below 35°C (95F). Sterility is guaranteed unless inner package is damaged or opened prior to use. Do not re-sterilise.
  

  
  Application
  

  
  Clean the wound area.
  Remove the release film.
  

  
  Mepilex should overlap the wound bed by at least 2 cm onto the surrounding skin.
  

  
  When necessary, secure Mepilex with a bandage or other fixation.
  

  
  FAQ
  

  
  General issues
  

  
  What is Mepilex?
  

  
  Mepilex is an absorbent soft silicone dressing. It consists of a flexible and absorbent polyurethane foam pad coated with a Safetac silicone contact layer and a vapour-permeable polyurethane film backing. The Safetac layer is covered with a polyethylene release film.
  

  
  When is Mepilex indicated?
  

  
  Mepilex is designed for a wide range of exuding shallow wounds such as leg and foot ulcers.
  Mepilex can be used under compression bandages.
  

  
  How does Mepilex work?
  

  
  Mepilex absorbs excess exudate through the porous hydrophobic Safetac layer into the foam, keeping the exudate away from the sensitive peri-wound area. At the same time the foam and the film backing provides a moist environment with minimal risk for the wound to dry out. Due to the Safetac property, Mepilex can be lifted without losing its micro-adherent properties.
  

  
  What are the benefits of Mepilex?
  

• No damage of vital tissues.
• No pain at dressing change.
• No residues of adhesive.
• Ease of handling.
• Comfort to the patient.
  

  
  How does Mepilex perform under compression bandages?
  

  
  Mepilex can be used in combination with compression bandages though absorption capacity decreases when a 40 mm Hg pressure is applied. However Mepilex has slightly better absorption capacity than Allevyn both at 0 mm Hg and at 40 mm Hg when measured after 24 hrs. Mepilex has better absorption capacity than DuoDerm both at 0 mm Hg and at 40 mm Hg when measured after 24 hrs.
  

  
  Technical issues
  

  
  How can Mepilex be lifted and adjusted without loss of adherent properties?
  When a tape with a common pressure sensitive adhesive is removed, a few cell layers are removed from the skin. These skin cells cover the adhesive, which therefore is no longer adherent. Silicone adheres gently without removing any skin layers. The silicone layer is therefore intact and still adherent even after removal.
  

  
  How should Mepilex be stored?
  

  
  Mepilex should be stored in dry conditions below 35°C (95F). If exposed to direct sunlight, Mepilex may discolour, although this will not adversely affect the dressing.
  

  
  What happens if Mepilex is stored above 35°C?
  

  
  Nothing more than that it becomes slightly yellow after a while. This is though harmless. A few days storage <60°C will not affect the product at all.
  

  
  Does anything happen when the product is aged?
  

  
  There might be a slight decrease in adhesion to the peri wound skin. It turns slightly yellow. No other changes are expected.
  

  
  Does Mepilex influence the wound pH?
  

  
  Mepilex is neutral and is assumed not to change to wound pH.
  

  
  Does Mepilex cause any bad smell?
  

  
  No.
  

  
  Does ozone depleting compounds exist in the foam manufacturing process?
  

  
  No.
  

  
  Does gravitation have any effect on the absorption performance?
  

  
  Yes, to some extent. Mepilex could be positioned “non-centered” slightly below the wound due to gravitation effects.
  

  
  Can Mepilex be sterilised by steam?
  

  
  No.
  

  
  Why does Mepilex have a wrinkled film backing?
  

  
  The film backing is intentionally wrinkled to increase both flexibility and evaporation area.
  

  
  Should Mepilex be used together with oxidising agents?
  

  
  No (hypochlorite solutions and hydrogen peroxide are examples of oxidising agents).
  

  
  Is the film backing waterproof?
  

  
  No.
  

  
  Medical issues
  

  
  Does local trauma affect the healing rate of chronic wounds?
  

  
  Yes, trauma to the wound means a high risk of disrupting newly formed tissue.
  

  
  Does local pain decrease healing rate in a chronic wound?
  

  
  Yes, pain results in increased production of catecholamines and cortisol. An increase of catecholamines leads to vasoconstriction of the small arterioles. Cortisol increases catabolism, which leads to the breakdown of vital nutrients that are needed by the cells during the wound healing.
  

  
  Does Mepilex clean the wound?
  

  
  No.
  

  
  Should Mepilex be used on infected wounds?
  

  
  Not without consulting a health care professional.
  

  
  Does the exudate level change when changing from one dressing regimen to another?
  

  
  It sometimes happens that the exudate level increases when treatment regimen is changed. This should however probably in most cases be regarded as something positive as it could be a sign of a start of a cleaning up process.
  

  
  Is there a risk that the wound dries out?
  

  
  No, once the foam has started to absorb it takes a long time for it to dry out. The backing film also supports to keep the wound moist.
  

  
  Will Mepilex cause any wound maceration?
  

  
  No, normally not if Mepilex is changed in time before it is saturated.
  

  
  When is Mepilex contraindicated?
  

  
  A lot of case studies have been performed on a variety of wounds and indications. No contraindications have been discovered.
  

  
  Does the wound become apparently bigger in the initial treatment phase?
  

  
  Normally not, depending on what healing stage the wound is in.
  

  
  Is Mepilex recommended on arterial leg ulcers?
  

  
  We have positive clinical experience though some care givers in some situations want to avoid occlusive treatment on this type of wound.
  

  
  Handling issues
  

  
  When should Mepilex be changed?
  

  
  Mepilex may be left in place for up to 7 days, but should be changed before saturation or else as indicated by accepted clinical practise.
  

  
  How should heavily exuding wounds be treated when leakage occur?
  

  
  1. Change Mepilex more frequently.
  2. If more frequent changes does not seem to be cost effective, change treatment to a combination of Mepitel and Mesorb.
  

  
  Is Mepilex showerproof?
  

  
  No.
  

  
  Can Mepilex be cut to the wound size?
  

  
  Mepilex is intended to cover and protect both the wound and the peri-wound skin (with an overlap of at least 2 cm). If needed Mepilex can be cut to size with sterile scissors. Cut before removal of the release film.
  

  
  How is Mepilex fixated?
  

  
  When necessary, fixate Mepilex with a bandage or other fixation.
  Depending on the wound location, Mepilex could also be supported by socks, stockings etc.
  

  
  Will Mepilex work together with the 4-layer system?
  

  
  Yes. Case studies have been performed with 4-layer system.
  

  
  Should Mepilex be placed “non-centered” on the wound due to gravitation effects?
  Especially if the patient is mobile, positioning Mepilex slightly below the center of the wound could avoid leakage.
  

  
  Could zinc-oxide paste be avoided when using Mepilex?
  

  
  Yes, but it can be used around wound edges if there is a great deal of macerated tissue.