Introduction/ Aim
A balanced moist wound environment and wound surface increase the effect of various factors for wound healing. We tested the effects of different secondary wound dressings and their evaporation of water when used with Epicite Hydro® in vitro and in vivo in a porcine donor site model. The aim of this study was to evaluate how the different rates of evaporation affect wound healing.

Material and Methods
Epicite Hydro® is a hydroactive wound dressing made from pure biotechnologically derived cellulose Epicite Hydro® was tested in vitro, either alone or in combination with secondary wound dressings used in clinical routine such as cotton gauze, Jelonet®, Aqacel® Extra and Opsite® Flexifix. Furthermore, in a porcine donor site model, we analyzed the effect on wound healing in vivo. 

The in vitro experiments showed different rates of water evaporation from Epicite Hydro® when using different secondary dressings. The results from the animal study showed that Epicite Hydro® in combination with cotton gauze or Aquacel® Extra had comparable high rates of re-epithelialization. 

Conclusion: 
We were able to show that the moisture of the wound environment and evaporation from the wound can be  influenced by using Epicite Hydro® in combination with different secondary dressings. This makes it possible to positively influence cell growth and thus accelerate wound healing.

6 - Influence of Secondary Dressings on the Effect of Epicite Hydro - Results of an Animal Study