ALLEVYN Ag

Wound infection can significantly compromise patient wellbeing and place heavy burdens on healthcare economies. The ALLEVYN Ag dressings have been designed to combine the essential qualities of the ALLEVYN range with the added antimicrobial activity of silver.

The unique tri-layer construction of the dressings enable optimal fluid handling to support moist wound healing¹ and the addition of SSD to the foam pad provides a broad spectrum bacterial kill in-vitro^2,3. The dressings are comfortable for patients, conform to body contours and are easy to apply and remove^4,5,6,7.

The ALLEVYN Ag range is available as:

ALLEVYN Ag Adhesive

A highly absorbent⁸ secure antimicrobial dressing that is also available in a sacral shape for this area that is at high risk of contamination

ALLEVYN Ag Adhesive Size and Ordering Information

ALLEVYN Ag Non-Adhesive

A highly absorbent⁹ non-adherent¹⁰ antimicrobial dressing suitable for compromised skin that can be cut to suit the patient

ALLEVYN Ag Non-Adhesive Size and Ordering Information

ALLEVYN Ag Gentle

A highly absorbent¹¹ antimicrobial dressing with a soft gel gentle adhesive to enable easy application⁶ under secondary retention including compression.

ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Size and Ordering Information

ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border

A highly absorbent¹² antimicrobial dressing with a gentle silicone adhesive, the ideal one step dressing for use on fragile skin⁷.

ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border Size and Ordering Information

All of the ALLEVYN Ag dressings combine the physical qualities of the ALLEVYN tri-layer construction with the antimicrobial activity of SSD. Proven in vitro against a broad spectrum of bacteria including antibiotic resistant bacteria such as Pseudomonas, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus (VRE)^2,3 the ALLEVYN Ag range provides a sustained action with antimicrobial properties remaining effective for up to 7 days in-vitro^3,13,14.

The ALLEVYN Ag dressings are indicated for:

• Shallow, granulating wounds
• Chronic and acute exudative wounds
• Full and partial thickness wounds such as pressure ulcers, leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers
• Infected wounds
• Malignant wounds
• Surgically dehisced wounds
• First and second degree burns
• Donor sites
• Fungating wounds

References

1. The clinical and physical properties of ALLEVYN Ag dressings and the moist wound environment
2. Data on File 0707052 – Antimicrobial activity of ALLEVYN Ag dressings against a broad spectrum of wound pathogens using a dynamic shake flask method. July
3. Smith & Nephew Research Centre Report Ref: RR-WMP07330-10-03. The equivalence of the antimicrobial efficacies of the ALLEVYN Ag foam variants against key wound pathogens. Driffield K, Woodmansey E. Dates 25/03/2009
4. Harding KG, Bale S. A randomised clinical study to evaluate and compare the performance of ALLEVYN Adhesive and Tielle dressings in the management of exuding wounds in the community: Smith & Nephew healthcare.
5. Managing diabetic foot lesions with ALLEVYN Heel dressing , Watret L (2000) The Diabetic Foot, 3(1),21-22
6. Data on file report ref: 0711086 – Results from a 7 day volunteer trial evaluating ALLEVYN Gentle dressings in terms of pain on removal, dressing retention and other physical characteristics. A. Bond December 2007
7. Smith & Nephew Medical Ltd. Report Ref: HVT050 Results from an open, prospective, randomised, within volunteer comparison of Dakota and Mepilex Border, Palmer S., & Smith G. 4th December 2008
8. Data on File Reference 0702002, ALLEVYN Ag Adhesive dressing Physical Properties, Daubney L, February 2007
9. Data on File Reference 0702001, ALLEVYN Ag Non Adhesive – Physical Properties, L Daubney, February 2007
10. Comparing two dressings in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, Foster AVM et al (1994), J Wound Care, 3(5), 224-228
11. Smith & Nephew Medical Ltd. Report Ref: DS/08/107/R1b, ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Dressings Physical Properties, Carpenter S. November 2008
12. Smith and Nephew Medical Ltd. Report Ref: DS/08/098/R1b, ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border Dressings Physical Properties, Carpenter S, November 2008
13. Data on File 0703014 – Antimicrobial activity of ALLLEVYN Ag Adhesive over 7 days. E. Woodmansey March 2007
14. Data on File 0703003 – Antimicrobial activity of ALLEVYN Ag Non-Adhesive over 7 days. E. Woodmansey March 2007
15. Avanzi R, Martinelli R, Accardi S, Giraudi C, Peroli P, Rowan S et al. Adhesive hydrocellular dressing vs. hydrocolloid dressing in the treatment of 2nd and 3rd degree pressure ulcers.
16. ALLEVYN Gentle – A 17 day wound healing study in full thickness wounds in minipigs, September 2007
17. ALLEVYN Gentle Border (Dakota) – A 17 day wound healing study in Full Thickness Wounds in Minipigs, October 2008
18. A human repeat insult patch test with adhesive materials. Inveresk Research International Report No. 3524, June 1986
19. Smith & Nephew Data on File Report Comparison of the Permeability of ALLEVYN Non-Adhesive standard and the new ALLEVYN Non-Adhesive written by David Foster and Ana Riel. February 2006
20. Smith & Nephew Wound Management, report ref: 070305, Bacterial Barrier testing (wet-wet) on samples of ALLEVYN Gentle, ALLEVYN Gentle Border dressings with 7 day test duration against S. Marcescens. Vaughan J October 2010
21. Smith & Nephew Data on File Report 070304 – Bacterial Barrier Testing (wet-wet) on samples of ALLEVYN Ag Non-Adhesive dressing with a 7 day test duration against MRSA, E. Woodmansey. March 2007
22. Data on File 0703013 – Bacterial Barrier testing (wet-wet) on samples of ALLEVYN Ag Adhesive dressing with a 7 day test duration against MRSA. E. Woodmansey, Feb 2007
23. ALLEVYN Ag Adhesive dressings: A summary of absorbent capacity and antimicrobial longevity.
24. Memo’s of 17th June 1993 and 12th October 1999 ALLEVYN Hydrocellular Dressing – Durability Data by D. Quinlan
25. Warriner and Burrell. Infection and the chronic wound: a focus on silver. Advances in skin and wound care. Vol 18, Supp. 1, Oct 2005
26. Lantis J. Gendics, C In vivo effect of sustained-release silver sulphadiazine foam on bioburden and wound closure in infected venous leg ulcers Journal of Wound Care Vol. 20 , no2 , February 2011
27. Kotz P, Fisher J, McCluskey P, Hartwell SD, Dharma H. Use of a new silver barrier dressing, ALLEVYN Ag in exuding chronic wounds Int Wound J 2009; 6:186–194

The ALLEVYN Ag dressings consist of an absorbent hydrocellular foam pad^8,9,11,12 held between a highly permeable outer top film and a non-adherent wound contact layer that will not stick to the wound itself^10,15,16,17.

Depending on the specific dressing there is a choice of adhesive available to cater for individual patient needs ranging from the gentle soft-gel of ALLEVYN Ag Gentle, the gentle silicone adhesive of ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border and the secure low allergy¹⁸ adhesive of ALLEVYN Ag Adhesive.

Breathable Top Film

The outer polyurethane top film switches to become more breathable in the presence of exudate ^11,12,19.

It also helps to prevent strikethrough and provides an effective barrier to bacteria^20,21,22 and minimises the risk of cross contamination.

Highly Absorbent Foam Core

The hydrocellular foam core is highly absorbent^8,9,10,11, providing absorption capacity for up to 7 days^6,7,23,24.

Non-Adherent Wound Contact Layer 

The wound contact layer will not stick to the wound^10,15,16,17 and is available in a range of adhesive types to cater for differing patient needs.

ALLEVYN Ag provides a broad spectrum antimicrobial action^2,3 via the inclusion of silver sulfadiazine into the hydrocellular foam pad. Silver is a commonly used antimicrobial agent in woundcare and has been demonstrated to be effective against antibiotic resistant bacteria such as Pseudomonas, MRSA and VRE^2,3 for up to 7 days in-vitro^3,13,14.

Silver works via a multi-modal action, acting on several different areas of the bacteria to achieve an effective bacterial kill²⁵

Silver acts on several areas of the cell to achieve an effective bacterial kill²⁵. Clinical trials on ALLEVYN Ag have demonstrated its efficacy in patients with Lantis et al observing a significant reduction in bioburden in the wound during the use of ALLEVYN Ag combined with a decrease in the signs and symptoms of infection and a reduction in wound area²⁶.

References

1. The clinical and physical properties of ALLEVYN Ag dressings and the moist wound environment
2. Data on File 0707052 – Antimicrobial activity of ALLEVYN Ag dressings against a broad spectrum of wound pathogens using a dynamic shake flask method. July
3. Smith & Nephew Research Centre Report Ref: RR-WMP07330-10-03. The equivalence of the antimicrobial efficacies of the ALLEVYN Ag foam variants against key wound pathogens. Driffield K, Woodmansey E. Dates 25/03/2009
4. Harding KG, Bale S. A randomised clinical study to evaluate and compare the performance of ALLEVYN Adhesive and Tielle dressings in the management of exuding wounds in the community: Smith & Nephew healthcare.
5. Managing diabetic foot lesions with ALLEVYN Heel dressing , Watret L (2000) The Diabetic Foot, 3(1),21-22
6. Data on file report ref: 0711086 – Results from a 7 day volunteer trial evaluating ALLEVYN Gentle dressings in terms of pain on removal, dressing retention and other physical characteristics. A. Bond December 2007
7. Smith & Nephew Medical Ltd. Report Ref: HVT050 Results from an open, prospective, randomised, within volunteer comparison of Dakota and Mepilex Border, Palmer S., & Smith G. 4th December 2008
8. Data on File Reference 0702002, ALLEVYN Ag Adhesive dressing Physical Properties, Daubney L, February 2007
9. Data on File Reference 0702001, ALLEVYN Ag Non Adhesive – Physical Properties, L Daubney, February 2007
10. Comparing two dressings in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, Foster AVM et al (1994), J Wound Care, 3(5), 224-228
11. Smith & Nephew Medical Ltd. Report Ref: DS/08/107/R1b, ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Dressings Physical Properties, Carpenter S. November 2008
12. Smith and Nephew Medical Ltd. Report Ref: DS/08/098/R1b, ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border Dressings Physical Properties, Carpenter S, November 2008
13. Data on File 0703014 – Antimicrobial activity of ALLLEVYN Ag Adhesive over 7 days. E. Woodmansey March 2007
14. Data on File 0703003 – Antimicrobial activity of ALLEVYN Ag Non-Adhesive over 7 days. E. Woodmansey March 2007
15. Avanzi R, Martinelli R, Accardi S, Giraudi C, Peroli P, Rowan S et al. Adhesive hydrocellular dressing vs. hydrocolloid dressing in the treatment of 2nd and 3rd degree pressure ulcers.
16. ALLEVYN Gentle – A 17 day wound healing study in full thickness wounds in minipigs, September 2007
17. ALLEVYN Gentle Border (Dakota) – A 17 day wound healing study in Full Thickness Wounds in Minipigs, October 2008
18. A human repeat insult patch test with adhesive materials. Inveresk Research International Report No. 3524, June 1986
19. Smith & Nephew Data on File Report Comparison of the Permeability of ALLEVYN Non-Adhesive standard and the new ALLEVYN Non-Adhesive written by David Foster and Ana Riel. February 2006
20. Smith & Nephew Wound Management, report ref: 070305, Bacterial Barrier testing (wet-wet) on samples of ALLEVYN Gentle, ALLEVYN Gentle Border dressings with 7 day test duration against S. Marcescens. Vaughan J October 2010
21. Smith & Nephew Data on File Report 070304 – Bacterial Barrier Testing (wet-wet) on samples of ALLEVYN Ag Non-Adhesive dressing with a 7 day test duration against MRSA, E. Woodmansey. March 2007
22. Data on File 0703013 – Bacterial Barrier testing (wet-wet) on samples of ALLEVYN Ag Adhesive dressing with a 7 day test duration against MRSA. E. Woodmansey, Feb 2007
23. ALLEVYN Ag Adhesive dressings: A summary of absorbent capacity and antimicrobial longevity.
24. Memo’s of 17th June 1993 and 12th October 1999 ALLEVYN Hydrocellular Dressing – Durability Data by D. Quinlan
25. Warriner and Burrell. Infection and the chronic wound: a focus on silver. Advances in skin and wound care. Vol 18, Supp. 1, Oct 2005
26. Lantis J. Gendics, C In vivo effect of sustained-release silver sulphadiazine foam on bioburden and wound closure in infected venous leg ulcers Journal of Wound Care Vol. 20 , no2 , February 2011
27. Kotz P, Fisher J, McCluskey P, Hartwell SD, Dharma H. Use of a new silver barrier dressing, ALLEVYN Ag in exuding chronic wounds Int Wound J 2009; 6:186–194

There is a range of clinical evidence available for ALLEVYN Ag demonstrating its efficacy in patients as well as in vitro. It has been shown to reduce bioburden in the wound, reduce the signs and symptoms of infection and reduce wound area²⁶; all key parameters impacting on patient wellbeing.

Clinical evidence has also shown how ALLEVYN Ag has been positively rated by clinicians in the areas of exudate management, patient comfort and durability²⁷.

Here is a summary of the key pieces of evidence for ALLEVYN Ag. Click through to view further detail.

ALLEVYN Ag Non Adhesive Technical Information Sheet (PDF - 1Mb)
ALLEVYN Ag Adhesive Technical Information Sheet (PDF - 1Mb)
ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border Technical Information Sheet (PDF - 1Mb)
ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Technical Information Sheet (PDF - 1Mb)

ALLEVYN Ag Adhesive

ALLEVYN Ag Non-Adhesive

ALLEVYN Ag Gentle 

ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border