Description

288100 Molnlycke Healthcare Mepilex® Heel Dressing 5" x 8" (5/BX)

Absorbent soft silicone dressing, shaped for heel wounds

5" x 8" Wound Dressing
5 Per Box

Mepilex Heel minimizes trauma to the wound and pain to the patient at dressing changes. The Safetac technology prevents Mepilex Heel from sticking to the wound bed yet adheres gently to the surrounding skin allowing easy application of secondary fixation. Mepilex Heel absorbs exudate effectively and ensures a low risk of maceration.

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 and may be used on other areas of the body as well.

Areas of use
Mepilex Heel is designed for a wide range of moderately exuding wounds on the heel or malleolus such as:

pressure ulcers
diabetic foot ulcers
traumatic wounds

How To Use

Product description
Mepilex Heel is an absorbent soft silicone dressing. It consists of:

a soft silicone wound-contact layer (Safetac®)
a flexible absorbent pad of polyurethane foam and
an outer film which is vapor permeable and moisture proof.

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 Heel absorbs exudate, maintains a moist wound-healing environment and minimizes the risk for maceration. As Mepilex Heel 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 normalize dry and scaly surrounding skin. Thanks to its absorptive properties Mepilex Heel is suitable for use under compression bandaging.

Mepilex Heel gently expands as it takes up exudate. Mepilex Heel can be used in combination with gels.

Intended use
Mepilex Heel 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

Cleanse the wound in accordance with normal procedures.
Dry the surrounding skin thoroughly.
Remove the release films and apply the adherent side to the wound. Do not stretch.
For best results, Mepilex Heel should overlap dry surrounding skin by at least 2 cm.
When necessary, fixate Mepilex Heel with a bandage or other fixation.
Tape or film can be used to seal the joints on the sides of the dressing after application.

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

FAQs

What is Mepilex Heel?

Mepilex Heel 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 vapor permeable polyurethane film backing. The Safetac layer is covered with a polyethylene release film.

When is Mepilex Heel indicated?

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

How does Mepilex Heel work?

Mepilex Heel 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. Thanks to Safetac’s properties, Mepilex Heel can be lifted without losing its micro-adherent properties.

What are the benefits of Mepilex Heel?

no damage of vital tissues
no pain at dressing change
no residues of adhesive
ease of handling
comfort to the patient

How does Mepilex Heel perform under compression bandages?

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

Technical Information on Mepilex Heel Dressings

How can Mepilex Heel 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 Heel be stored?

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

What happens if Mepilex Heel is stored above 95°F?

Nothing more than that it becomes slightly yellow after a while. This is though harmless. A few days storage.

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 Heel influence the wound pH?

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

Does Mepilex Heel cause any bad smell?

Do ozone depleting compounds exist in the foam manufacturing process?

Does gravitation have any effect on the absorption performance?

Yes, to some extent. Mepilex Heel could be positioned "off-center," slightly below the wound, to compensate for gravitational effects.

Can Mepilex Heel be sterilized by steam?

Why does Mepilex Heel have a wrinkled film backing?

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

Should Mepilex Heel be used together with oxidizing agents?

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

Is the film backing waterproof?

Medical Information

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 Heel clean the wound?

Should Mepilex Heel 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 Heel cause any wound maceration?

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

When is Mepilex Heel contraindicated?

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

Does the wound seem to become bigger in the initial treatment phase?

Not normally, depends on the healing stage of the wound.

Is Mepilex Heel 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 Information

When should Mepilex Heel be changed?

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

How should heavily exuding wounds be treated when leakage occur?

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

Is Mepilex Heel shower proof?

Can Mepilex Heel be cut to the wound size?

Mepilex Heel 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 Heel can be cut to size with sterile scissors. Cut before removal of the release film.

How is Mepilex Heel secured in place?

When necessary, secure Mepilex Heel with Tubifast, Tubigrip, Mefix, Mepitac, or another fixation.
Depending on the wound location, Mepilex Heel could also be supported by socks, stockings etc.

Will Mepilex Heel work together with the 4-layer system?

Yes. Case studies have been performed with 4-layer system
Should Mepilex Heel be placed "off-center" on the wound to compensate for gravitational effects?
Especially if the patient is mobile, positioning Mepilex Heel slightly below the center of the wound could avoid leakage.

Could zinc-oxide paste be avoided when using Mepilex Heel?