Wound Contact Layers

Gentle Wound Contact & Protection During Dressing Changes

Wound contact layers are thin primary dressings placed directly onto the wound surface. Their main purpose is to create a protective interface between the wound bed and the secondary dressing while allowing wound exudate to pass through into an absorbent dressing positioned above.

They are particularly useful when direct adhesion of the secondary dressing to the wound should be minimised and when gentle, atraumatic dressing changes are an important part of wound management.

HARTMANN offers the Atrauman® family for this purpose, including Atrauman®, Atrauman® Silicone and Atrauman® Ag. These products provide different wound-contact technologies for acute and chronic wounds and allow the contact layer to be selected according to the individual wound situation.

What Are Wound Contact Layers?

A protective interface between the wound and secondary dressing

A wound contact layer is positioned directly on the wound but generally does not provide the main absorption capacity of the complete dressing system.

Instead, it separates the wound surface from the absorbent secondary dressing.

The basic dressing concept is:

wound → wound contact layer → absorbent secondary dressing → fixation

Depending on the specific product, wound contact layers can:

• help prevent secondary dressings from adhering to the wound
• allow exudate to pass through to an absorbent secondary dressing
• protect newly forming tissue
• facilitate atraumatic dressing changes
• provide a soft interface with the wound surface
• protect sensitive or fragile skin
• complement absorbent or superabsorbent dressings

This makes them fundamentally different from absorbent dressings, superabsorbent dressings and foam dressings.

HARTMANN Wound Contact Layers

The Atrauman® family

HARTMANN currently lists three main products in its UK Wound Contact Layers category:

• Atrauman®
• Atrauman® Ag
• Atrauman® Silicone

HARTMANN further distinguishes between impregnated and non-impregnated contact layers.

Each product follows a different concept:

This allows the Atrauman family to cover different requirements without combining every function into a single dressing.

Atrauman®

Non-adherent wound contact layer

Atrauman® is HARTMANN's classic non-medicated wound contact layer for superficial acute and chronic wounds.

It is an ointment dressing designed to help prevent the secondary dressing from adhering to the wound bed while keeping the wound edges and surrounding skin supple.

Its fine mesh structure allows exudate to pass through the contact layer into a suitable secondary dressing.

Atrauman is thin, soft, drapable and can be cut to the required size, making it adaptable to different anatomical regions and wound dimensions. HARTMANN uses neutral triglycerides rather than paraffin or Vaseline in the impregnation.

Atrauman® Silicone

Soft silicone wound contact layer

Atrauman® Silicone is designed for situations where particularly gentle contact with the wound or sensitive skin is required.

The dressing consists of a soft, permeable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) mesh coated on both sides with silicone gel. It is designed to help prevent sticking to the wound bed while remaining permeable to exudate.

HARTMANN specifies Atrauman Silicone for superficial acute and chronic wounds with slight to moderate exudation.

It can be used as a primary dressing together with an absorbent secondary wound dressing and can also serve as a protective layer on non-exuding wounds and areas with sensitive skin.

Silicone Contact Layer for Sensitive & Fragile Skin

Gentle contact with the wound surface

Silicone wound contact layers are particularly relevant when minimising adhesion and protecting sensitive structures are important considerations.

The soft silicone coating of Atrauman Silicone is designed to provide gentle contact while allowing the dressing to be removed atraumatically.

This can be useful for:

• sensitive skin
• fragile skin
• superficial wounds
• wounds requiring repeated dressing changes
• situations where adhesion of the secondary dressing should be prevented

HARTMANN positions Atrauman Silicone as an additional level of protection within the Atrauman family, particularly for delicate and sensitive skin and more complex wound situations.

Atrauman® Ag

Silver-containing wound contact layer

Atrauman® Ag combines a non-adherent wound contact layer with a silver-containing barrier function.

According to HARTMANN, it is suitable for chronic wounds such as leg ulcers, diabetic ulcers and pressure ulcers and also for acute burns up to the second degree.

The dressing is thin and soft and designed to maintain close contact with the wound surface.

Atrauman Ag is used together with a suitable secondary dressing capable of absorbing the wound exudate. Depending on the wound situation, this may be an absorbent dressing, superabsorbent dressing, foam dressing or another appropriate secondary dressing.

Silver as a Barrier Concept

A specialised option within the Atrauman family

Atrauman Ag should not simply be considered a more absorbent version of Atrauman.

Its principal distinction is the silver-containing barrier function.

HARTMANN positions Atrauman Ag within the Atrauman family when reduction of wound bioburden is required.

The appropriate use of a silver-containing dressing should therefore be based on wound assessment and the intended use of the product rather than selected routinely for every wound.

Wound Contact Layers for Acute Wounds

Depending on the product, wound contact layers can be used for various acute wounds.

Potential applications within the HARTMANN Atrauman family include:

• superficial wounds
• abrasions
• skin tears
• incisions
• minor burns
• other suitable acute wounds

The appropriate product depends on factors such as the wound surface, exudate level, condition of the surrounding skin and whether a specialised contact technology such as silicone or silver is required.

Wound Contact Layers for Chronic Wounds

Protecting the wound beneath a secondary dressing

Wound contact layers can also form part of the dressing concept for chronic wounds.

In these situations, the contact layer primarily provides the interface with the wound, while the secondary dressing manages the exudate.

Depending on the individual product and indication, applications can include:

• leg ulcers
• pressure ulcers
• diabetic ulcers
• other chronic exuding wounds

For wounds producing larger quantities of exudate, the absorption requirements should therefore be addressed by selecting an appropriate secondary dressing.

Exudate Passage Through the Contact Layer

The secondary dressing provides the absorption

A key characteristic of many wound contact layers is their permeability to wound exudate.

The contact layer allows fluid to pass through its structure into the dressing positioned above.

The system therefore functions differently from an absorbent dressing:

wound → permeable contact layer → exudate passes through → secondary dressing absorbs fluid.

Atrauman Silicone, for example, is explicitly described by HARTMANN as permeable to exudate and can be combined with an absorbent secondary wound dressing.

Wound Contact Layers & Absorbent Dressings

Two complementary dressing functions

Wound contact layers and absorbent dressings should not be regarded as competing products.

They can perform complementary functions within the same dressing system.

The contact layer provides the interface with the wound, while the absorbent dressing provides the required fluid uptake.

For example:

Atrauman wound contact layer + suitable absorbent dressing

can create a dressing system in which wound contact and exudate absorption are handled by separate components.

This is one reason why V-MEDTECH keeps Wound Contact Layers and Absorbent Dressings as separate categories.

Wound Contact Layers & Superabsorbent Dressings

For more heavily exuding wounds, a contact layer may, where appropriate, be combined with a superabsorbent secondary dressing.

The roles remain clearly separated:

HARTMANN specifically states that Atrauman Ag can be combined with suitable absorbent or superabsorbent secondary dressings according to their respective instructions for use.

Wound Contact Layers or Silicone Superabsorbent Dressings?

Both categories can incorporate silicone technology, but they serve different purposes.

Atrauman Silicone is primarily a thin wound contact layer.

RespoSorb Silicone, by contrast, combines a silicone interface with a superabsorbent SAP core.

The level of exudate and required dressing function therefore determine which technology is more appropriate.

Wound Contact Layers or Hydroactive Wound Dressings?

Hydroactive wound dressings such as HydroClean®, HydroTac®, Hydrocoll® and PermaFoam® are designed around specific wound-management technologies.

Depending on the product, these technologies address functions such as wound-bed preparation, moisture management or exudate management.

A wound contact layer has a different primary role:

to create a suitable interface between the wound and the rest of the dressing system.

It should therefore not automatically be substituted for a hydroactive dressing where a specific wound-management function is required.

Wound Contact Layers or Postoperative Dressings?

Postoperative dressings such as Cosmopor® Steril are designed as more complete dressing solutions for surgical wounds.

They can combine:

• wound contact
• absorbent wound pad
• external protection
• adhesive fixation

A wound contact layer such as Atrauman is a different concept. It generally forms only the primary wound-contact component and is combined with another dressing.

This distinction supports separate V-MEDTECH categories for Wound Contact Layers and Postoperative Dressings.

How to Choose a Wound Contact Layer

Is a conventional non-adherent contact layer required?

For suitable superficial acute or chronic wounds where a non-medicated, non-adherent contact layer is required, Atrauman® can be considered according to its intended use.

Is the skin particularly sensitive or fragile?

Where gentle silicone contact is desirable, Atrauman® Silicone provides a soft silicone-coated interface.

Is a silver-containing barrier dressing required?

When wound assessment indicates the need for a silver-containing barrier dressing, Atrauman® Ag provides the specialised option within the family.

How much exudate does the wound produce?

The exudate level determines not only the contact layer but also the secondary dressing.

A wound producing more exudate may require a more absorbent secondary dressing even though the wound contact layer itself remains thin.

What secondary dressing is required?

Depending on the wound and exudate level, this may include:

• an absorbent dressing
• a superabsorbent dressing
• a foam dressing
• another compatible secondary wound dressing

The complete dressing system should always be selected according to the wound situation and the instructions for use of the individual products.

HARTMANN Wound Contact Layers at a Glance

The current HARTMANN UK wound-care portfolio lists these three products together as the Atrauman wound contact layer family.

Wound Contact Layers for Hospitals & Wound Clinics

Wound contact layers are relevant in professional environments where different components are combined to create an individual dressing system.

Potential settings include:

• hospital wards
• wound clinics
• outpatient departments
• surgical departments
• chronic wound care
• diabetic foot care
• long-term care
• specialist medical practices

Their modular nature allows the wound-contact technology and the absorption capacity of the secondary dressing to be selected separately.

Wound Contact Layers for Medical Practices

Wound contact layers are also suitable for professional wound management in general and specialist medical practices.

Typical applications may include:

• acute wound management
• chronic wound management
• treatment of skin tears
• management of sensitive or fragile skin
• dressing changes where adhesion should be minimised
• use beneath suitable absorbent secondary dressings

The selection should always reflect the wound condition, exudate level and intended use of the specific product.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wound Contact Layers

What is a wound contact layer?

A wound contact layer is a thin primary dressing placed directly onto the wound. It provides an interface between the wound and the secondary dressing and generally allows exudate to pass through to an absorbent layer above.

Does a wound contact layer absorb wound exudate?

Its main purpose is not high-capacity absorption. For exuding wounds, a suitable absorbent secondary dressing is generally used to manage the wound fluid.

What is the difference between Atrauman® and Atrauman® Silicone?

Atrauman is an impregnated, non-medicated wound contact layer. Atrauman Silicone uses a PET mesh coated on both sides with soft silicone gel and is particularly relevant where gentle contact with sensitive skin or the wound is required.

What is Atrauman® Ag?

Atrauman Ag is a non-adherent, silver-containing barrier dressing. HARTMANN positions it for suitable chronic wounds and acute burns up to the second degree and where a silver barrier function is required.

Does Atrauman® Silicone require a secondary dressing?

For exuding wounds, HARTMANN states that Atrauman Silicone can be used as a primary dressing in combination with an absorbent secondary wound dressing.

Can wound contact layers be cut to size?

This depends on the individual product. HARTMANN specifically describes Atrauman and Atrauman Ag as thin, soft, drapable products that can be cut to size. Product-specific instructions for use should always be observed.

Buy HARTMANN Wound Contact Layers at V-MEDTECH

At V-MEDTECH, hospitals, wound-care centres, medical practices and other healthcare professionals can find HARTMANN wound contact layers for professional acute and chronic wound management.

The Atrauman® family offers different technologies for different wound-care requirements: classic Atrauman®, soft silicone Atrauman® Silicone and silver-containing Atrauman® Ag.

The V-MEDTECH wound-care structure keeps Wound Contact Layers, Absorbent Dressings, Superabsorbent Wound Dressings, Silicone Superabsorbent Dressings and Hydroactive Wound Dressings separate, allowing healthcare professionals to select products according to their primary function.