Description

BACTIGRAS by Smith & Nephew is a sterile wound-contact dressing made from an open-weave Leno acetate gauze impregnated with soft paraffin and 0.5% chlorhexidine.

The soft paraffin creates a protective, low-adherent interface between the wound and the secondary dressing, helping prevent the absorbent material from adhering directly to the wound bed. This supports gentler dressing changes and helps reduce the pain and trauma associated with dressing removal.

Its open structure allows exudate to pass freely through the mesh and into a secondary absorbent dressing. BACTIGRAS is therefore not intended to absorb or retain large amounts of exudate on its own and should be covered with a secondary dressing selected according to the wound’s exudate level.

The 0.5% chlorhexidine provides local antimicrobial activity against different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including resistant strains such as MRSA. According to the product information, its antimicrobial activity is not inactivated by blood or wound exudate.

INDICATIONS

BACTIGRAS is indicated for small wounds with a risk of infection and for infected wounds when used as part of the treatment prescribed by a healthcare professional. Applications include:

• Abrasions.
• Minor scalds and burns.
• Superficial wounds with skin loss.
• Minor traumatic wounds.
• Skin graft donor sites.
• Skin graft recipient sites.
• Foot ulcers.
• Diabetic foot ulcers, according to clinical assessment.
• Pressure ulcers.
• Chronic wounds.
• Wounds at risk of bacterial contamination.
• Locally infected wounds together with indicated systemic antibiotic therapy.
• Wounds requiring a protective, low-adherent interface.
• Wounds requiring drainage of exudate into a secondary dressing.

EFFECT AND TECHNOLOGY

• Open-weave Leno acetate mesh.
• Impregnated with soft paraffin.
• Contains 0.5% chlorhexidine.
• Provides a protective interface between the wound and the absorbent dressing.
• Its low-adherent surface helps prevent the secondary dressing from attaching to the wound bed.
• Supports gentler and less traumatic dressing changes.
• May help reduce pain associated with dressing removal.
• The open weave allows wound exudate to pass freely through the dressing.
• Transfers exudate into a secondary absorbent dressing.
• Helps prevent secretions from accumulating beneath the interface.
• Can be cut to conform to the shape of the wound.
• The Leno weave helps minimize fraying after cutting.
• Chlorhexidine provides local antimicrobial activity.
• Active against different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
• Provides activity against MRSA.
• Its antimicrobial activity is not affected by blood or wound exudate.
• May be used as an interface with a compatible topical treatment under professional guidance.
• Requires a secondary dressing to absorb and manage exudate.
• Sterile, latex-free, and intended for single use.

BACTIGRAS should be applied using an aseptic technique and under medical supervision. It must not be used over more than 10% of the total body surface area. Contact with the eyes, middle ear, meninges, and brain must be avoided. It is incompatible with soaps, anionic materials, potassium iodide, and oxidizing wound-cleansing agents.

When used on an infected wound, BACTIGRAS does not replace clinical assessment or systemic antibiotic treatment when such therapy is indicated.