Silicone Superabsorbent Dressings

Advanced Exudate Management with a Gentle Silicone Wound Contact Layer

Silicone superabsorbent dressings combine high-performance exudate management with the advantages of a soft silicone wound contact layer.

They are designed for professional wound care where effective absorption and retention of wound exudate are required while the dressing should also provide gentle contact with the wound and surrounding skin.

HARTMANN combines superabsorbent polymer technology (SAP) with a silicone interface in its RespoSorb® Silicone range. The current portfolio includes both non-bordered and self-adhesive bordered solutions, allowing the dressing concept to be adapted to different wounds, anatomical locations and fixation requirements.

What Are Silicone Superabsorbent Dressings?

Superabsorbent technology combined with silicone

A silicone superabsorbent dressing combines two important wound care technologies:

Superabsorbent polymers (SAP) are responsible for absorbing and retaining wound exudate within the dressing.

The silicone wound contact layer provides gentle contact with the wound surface and facilitates atraumatic dressing removal.

This combination makes silicone SAP dressings particularly interesting when both effective exudate management and gentle dressing changes are important.

How Do Silicone SAP Dressings Work?

Absorption, retention and gentle wound contact

Superabsorbent dressings contain specialised polymers capable of absorbing and retaining considerable quantities of fluid.

HARTMANN's RespoSorb Silicone combines cellulose fluff with fluid-retaining superabsorbent particles. The dressing therefore provides the high absorption and retention characteristics of a superabsorbent dressing while adding a soft silicone contact layer.

The principle can be summarised as:

wound contact → exudate absorption → distribution → retention within the absorbent core.

The silicone interface complements this process by providing gentle contact with the wound.

HARTMANN Silicone Superabsorbent Dressings

RespoSorb® Silicone for professional wound care

The current HARTMANN silicone superabsorbent range includes two principal configurations:

• RespoSorb® Silicone – without adhesive border
• RespoSorb® Silicone Border – with silicone adhesive border

HARTMANN officially categorises these products as Silicone SAP Dressings and distinguishes between bordered and non-bordered versions.

This distinction is useful for professional wound care because the appropriate version can be selected according to wound condition, anatomical location and fixation requirements.

RespoSorb® Silicone

Superabsorbent dressing with silicone interface

RespoSorb® Silicone is a superabsorbent wound dressing with a silicone interface.

It was previously marketed as Zetuvit® Plus Silicone in certain markets. HARTMANN is currently transitioning the silicone product family to the RespoSorb name.

The dressing combines:

• cellulose fluff
• superabsorbent particles
• high exudate absorption
• fluid retention within the absorbent core
• a soft silicone wound contact layer

HARTMANN positions RespoSorb Silicone particularly for superficial, heavily exuding acute and chronic wounds.

Silicone Wound Contact Layer

Gentle contact and atraumatic dressing changes

One of the principal differences between RespoSorb Silicone and a conventional superabsorbent dressing is its silicone interface.

The soft silicone contact layer is designed to facilitate atraumatic dressing changes and minimise discomfort during removal. HARTMANN also states that an additional wound contact layer is not required when RespoSorb Silicone is used as intended.

This makes the dressing particularly relevant when high absorption capacity is required together with gentle wound contact.

RespoSorb® Silicone Border

Superabsorbent dressing with integrated silicone adhesive border

RespoSorb® Silicone Border combines the SAP absorbent technology with a silicone interface and an integrated adhesive border.

The dressing absorbs and retains exudate within its absorbent pad while the silicone adhesive border provides fixation.

According to HARTMANN, the integrated adhesive border means that additional materials are not required to secure the dressing.

This creates an all-in-one dressing concept:

silicone wound contact + superabsorbent core + integrated fixation.

Bordered or Non-Bordered Silicone Dressing?

The choice between RespoSorb Silicone and RespoSorb Silicone Border depends largely on the clinical situation and fixation requirements.

HARTMANN itself uses this bordered/non-bordered distinction within its Silicone SAP Dressings category.

Silicone Superabsorbent Dressings for Acute Wounds

Silicone superabsorbent dressings can be used for different acute exuding wounds according to the specific product indication.

For RespoSorb Silicone Border, HARTMANN lists applications including:

• traumatic wounds
• burns
• postoperative wounds

The dressing is intended for acute as well as chronic exuding wounds.

The individual wound condition and level of exudate should always determine product selection.

Silicone Superabsorbent Dressings for Chronic Wounds

Exudate management with gentle wound contact

Chronic wounds can produce considerable amounts of exudate and may require long-term professional wound management.

Depending on the individual wound situation, RespoSorb Silicone Border can be used for chronic wounds including:

• venous leg ulcers
• pressure ulcers
• diabetic foot ulcers
• tumour wounds

HARTMANN specifically lists these wound types among the applications for the bordered dressing.

The combination of absorption, retention and a silicone interface makes this dressing technology particularly relevant for ongoing management of exuding chronic wounds.

Exudate Absorption & Retention

SAP technology at the core of the dressing

The silicone layer is only one component of these dressings.

The central exudate-management function is provided by the superabsorbent core.

SAP particles absorb wound fluid and retain it within the dressing. RespoSorb Silicone Border is designed to absorb and retain up to high levels of exudate within its absorbent pad.

This allows silicone SAP dressings to combine gentle wound contact with the fluid-management performance expected from a modern superabsorbent dressing.

Maintaining a Moist Wound Environment

Managing exudate without unnecessarily drying the wound

Modern wound management aims to control excess exudate while maintaining an appropriate wound environment.

HARTMANN describes RespoSorb Silicone Border as absorbing and retaining exudate while maintaining a moist wound environment.

The objective is therefore not simply maximum fluid removal.

The dressing should balance:

• absorption
• retention
• moisture management
• protection of the wound environment

This distinction is particularly important when selecting dressings for chronic wounds.

Protection of the Periwound Skin

Silicone border and controlled moisture management

Excessive wound exudate can place considerable stress on the wound edges and periwound skin.

Appropriate absorption and retention help manage the moisture load, while the silicone interface provides gentle contact.

With RespoSorb Silicone Border, the silicone adhesive border additionally provides integrated fixation around the wound.

The current UK version uses a transparent silicone border designed to keep the periwound area visible.

Regular assessment of the wound edges and periwound skin nevertheless remains an essential part of professional wound care.

Silicone Superabsorbent Dressings under Compression

Exudate management combined with compression therapy

Certain exuding wounds may require wound care in combination with compression therapy.

HARTMANN states that RespoSorb Silicone Border can be used in the context of compression therapy.

This can be particularly relevant in professional treatment concepts where management of wound exudate and compression need to work together.

The clinical indication and type of compression therapy must always be determined independently according to the patient's condition.

Different Sizes & Anatomical Shapes

Selecting the dressing according to wound location

Silicone superabsorbent dressings are available in different sizes to accommodate different wound dimensions and anatomical locations.

The current RespoSorb Silicone Border portfolio includes multiple square and rectangular sizes as well as specialised anatomical configurations. HARTMANN currently lists, depending on the market, versions for areas such as the sacrum and heel.

This is particularly useful for wounds located in areas where a standard rectangular dressing may be difficult to position or secure.

Product sizes and configurations can vary between national HARTMANN portfolios.

Silicone Superabsorbent vs. Standard Superabsorbent Dressings

Both categories use superabsorbent technology, but the wound contact concept differs.

For V-MEDTECH, this distinction justifies maintaining separate categories for Superabsorbent Wound Dressings and Silicone Superabsorbent Dressings.

Silicone Superabsorbent vs. Foam Dressings

Silicone superabsorbent dressings and foam dressings can both be used for exuding wounds, but their construction and fluid-management technologies differ.

Silicone superabsorbent dressings primarily use:

• SAP technology
• high absorption and retention
• silicone wound contact
• dedicated exudate management

Foam dressings primarily use:

• absorbent foam structures
• cushioning
• moisture management
• conformability

The choice should therefore depend on wound condition, exudate level, anatomical location and the required dressing properties rather than on a single product characteristic.

Silicone Superabsorbent vs. Wound Contact Layers

A silicone superabsorbent dressing should also not be confused with a simple silicone wound contact layer.

A wound contact layer primarily creates an interface between the wound and the secondary dressing.

A silicone superabsorbent dressing combines the wound contact interface directly with an absorbent SAP core.

RespoSorb Silicone therefore generally does not require an additional wound contact layer when used according to its intended purpose.

This can simplify the dressing concept in appropriate wound situations.

How to Choose a Silicone Superabsorbent Dressing

How much exudate does the wound produce?

Exudate level remains one of the most important selection criteria.

Silicone SAP dressings are particularly relevant where effective absorption and retention need to be combined with a silicone wound contact layer.

Is integrated fixation required?

If integrated fixation is preferred, RespoSorb Silicone Border provides a silicone adhesive border.

If fixation needs to be selected separately, the non-bordered RespoSorb Silicone may provide greater flexibility.

Where is the wound located?

Anatomical location influences the required dressing size, shape and fixation method.

Specialised shapes may be useful for difficult anatomical regions such as the sacral area or heel.

Is gentle dressing removal particularly important?

The silicone interface is specifically designed to support atraumatic and low-pain dressing changes.

This can be an important selection criterion when repeated dressing changes are required.

Will compression therapy be used?

If the dressing is intended for use under compression, compatibility with the planned compression concept should be considered.

RespoSorb Silicone Border can be used in the context of compression therapy according to HARTMANN.

HARTMANN Silicone Superabsorbent Dressings at a Glance

*HARTMANN is transitioning the silicone family from Zetuvit Plus Silicone to RespoSorb Silicone. Current naming and availability differ between national markets: the UK portfolio already presents RespoSorb Silicone and RespoSorb Silicone Border, while HARTMANN's international and German sites currently still show both naming generations.

Silicone Superabsorbent Dressings for Hospitals & Wound Clinics

Silicone superabsorbent dressings are particularly relevant in professional wound care where effective exudate management must be combined with gentle wound contact and repeated dressing changes.

Typical areas of use include:

• hospital wards
• wound clinics
• outpatient wound centres
• vascular medicine
• diabetic foot care
• chronic wound management
• postoperative care
• long-term care facilities

The appropriate dressing should always be selected according to the wound assessment, exudate level, anatomical location and manufacturer's intended use.

Silicone Superabsorbent Dressings for Medical Practices

Medical practices and outpatient facilities can use silicone superabsorbent dressings for professional management of appropriate acute and chronic exuding wounds.

Potential applications include:

• chronic wound care
• postoperative wound management
• venous leg ulcers
• pressure ulcers
• diabetic foot ulcers
• traumatic wounds
• repeated dressing changes
• wound care combined with compression where clinically indicated

The choice between bordered and non-bordered versions provides additional flexibility for different treatment situations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Silicone Superabsorbent Dressings

What is a silicone superabsorbent dressing?

It is a wound dressing that combines superabsorbent polymer technology with a silicone wound contact layer. The absorbent core manages wound exudate while the silicone interface provides gentle contact with the wound.

What does SAP mean?

SAP stands for Superabsorbent Polymer. These polymers absorb wound fluid and retain it within the dressing core.

What is the difference between RespoSorb® Silicone and RespoSorb® Silicone Border?

Both combine superabsorbent technology with a silicone interface. RespoSorb Silicone is non-bordered and requires appropriate fixation, while RespoSorb Silicone Border incorporates an adhesive silicone border for integrated fixation.

Is RespoSorb® Silicone the same as Zetuvit® Plus Silicone?

RespoSorb Silicone is the new name used by HARTMANN for the product previously known as Zetuvit Plus Silicone in markets where the transition has taken place. HARTMANN currently still displays both naming generations in some national portfolios.

Can RespoSorb® Silicone Border be used under compression?

Yes. HARTMANN states that RespoSorb Silicone Border can be used in the context of compression therapy.

Does RespoSorb® Silicone Border require additional fixation?

Normally no. HARTMANN states that its adhesive silicone border secures the dressing without requiring additional fixation materials.

Buy HARTMANN Silicone Superabsorbent Dressings at V-MEDTECH

At V-MEDTECH, hospitals, wound clinics, medical practices and other healthcare professionals can find HARTMANN silicone superabsorbent dressings for advanced exudate management.

RespoSorb® Silicone combines a superabsorbent core with a gentle silicone wound contact layer, while RespoSorb® Silicone Border additionally provides an integrated adhesive border.

This allows healthcare professionals to select between flexible secondary fixation and an all-in-one bordered dressing according to the wound, anatomical location and treatment requirements.

For applications where a silicone contact layer is not required, V-MEDTECH provides the separate Superabsorbent Wound Dressings category with products such as Zetuvit® Plus.