Wound Irrigation Solutions

Professional Wound Cleansing, Irrigation & Preparation

Wound irrigation solutions are used for the professional cleansing and irrigation of acute and chronic wounds. They can help remove contaminants, wound debris and other unwanted material from the wound surface before a suitable dressing is applied.

Within the current HARTMANN wound-care portfolio, HydroClean® Solution represents the dedicated wound irrigation solution. HARTMANN describes it as a solution for the antiseptic cleansing, rinsing, moisturising and care of wounds, including acute, chronic and infected wounds.

Wound irrigation should be clearly distinguished from the function of a wound dressing: the solution is used primarily during wound cleansing and wound preparation, while the subsequently selected dressing provides the required protection, moisture management or exudate management.

Why Is Wound Cleansing Important?

Preparing the wound before dressing application

Professional wound management begins with an assessment of the wound and, where appropriate, cleansing of the wound surface and surrounding area.

Depending on the wound situation, wound cleansing may help remove:

• visible contaminants
• wound debris
• coatings and deposits
• loosened necrotic material
• residues from previous dressings
• unwanted material from the wound surface

HydroClean Solution is designed to mechanically cleanse the wound and can be used before the application of a wound dressing. HARTMANN also describes its use for softening and removing dressing material adhering to the wound.

HARTMANN HydroClean® Solution

Wound irrigation solution for professional wound care

HydroClean® Solution is HARTMANN's dedicated wound irrigation solution within the Hydroactive Wound Dressings portfolio. The current international HARTMANN range lists it specifically under Wound Irrigation Solution.

According to HARTMANN, HydroClean Solution is intended for:

• antiseptic wound cleansing
• wound irrigation
• moisturising
• wound care
• mechanical cleansing of the wound surface

The current formulation is based on water, Poloxamer and polyhexanide (PHMB).

Mechanical Wound Cleansing

Removing unwanted material from the wound surface

Wound irrigation provides a practical method of cleansing the wound before the subsequent dressing system is applied.

HARTMANN describes HydroClean Solution as mechanically cleansing the wound and surrounding area and helping remove dirt, coatings, necrotic tissue and biofilm.

Its surface-active components reduce surface tension, supporting the cleansing process.

The solution can therefore form an important part of wound preparation before products such as wound contact layers, absorbent dressings, superabsorbent dressings or hydroactive wound dressings are applied.

HydroClean® Solution with Polyhexanide

Antiseptic wound irrigation concept

HydroClean Solution contains polyhexanide, also known as PHMB, as part of its formulation.

This distinguishes the product from simple wound rinsing with a neutral irrigation fluid.

HARTMANN positions HydroClean Solution as an antiseptic solution for cleansing and care of wounds and states that it can be used for infected as well as non-infected acute and chronic wounds.

The specific application should always follow the product instructions and professional wound assessment.

Wound Irrigation for Acute Wounds

HydroClean Solution can be used for appropriate acute wounds as part of professional wound cleansing.

Depending on the wound situation, wound irrigation may be relevant for:

• traumatic wounds
• contaminated wounds
• superficial acute wounds
• wounds following appropriate medical procedures
• first- and second-degree burns within the product's intended use

HARTMANN currently specifies acute wounds and first- and second-degree burns among the applications for HydroClean Solution.

Wound Irrigation for Chronic Wounds

Cleansing as part of structured wound management

Chronic wounds frequently require structured wound-bed management in combination with an appropriate dressing strategy.

HydroClean Solution can be used for appropriate chronic wounds, including infected wounds, according to the current HARTMANN product information.

After cleansing, the wound dressing should be selected according to factors such as:

• wound condition
• exudate level
• wound depth
• condition of the surrounding skin
• required wound contact technology
• need for additional exudate management

The irrigation solution and the subsequent dressing therefore fulfil different but complementary functions.

Cleansing Infected & Non-Infected Wounds

HydroClean Solution is not limited to one single wound status.

HARTMANN currently specifies its use for infected and non-infected acute and chronic wounds.

Because the solution contains an antiseptic component, its role differs from that of simple cleansing products without an antiseptic formulation.

For professional wound management, the presence or suspicion of wound infection should always be evaluated clinically and managed according to the appropriate treatment protocol.

Moisturising Dried or Adherent Dressings

Supporting gentle dressing removal

Wound irrigation solutions can also be useful when dressing material has adhered to the wound surface.

HARTMANN recommends thoroughly moistening adherent dressings with HydroClean Solution, allowing them to soften and then carefully removing them.

This provides another important function beyond simple irrigation:

moistening → softening → careful dressing removal

The objective is to support a controlled and gentle dressing change rather than mechanically pulling dry material from the wound surface.

HydroClean® Solution Before Dressing Application

Cleansing first – dressing selection afterwards

HydroClean Solution can be used to cleanse the wound before a new dressing is applied.

The basic workflow is:

wound assessment → wound cleansing/irrigation → wound preparation → appropriate dressing → fixation if required

The subsequent dressing should then be selected according to the actual wound requirements.

Possible categories include:

• Wound Contact Layers
• Absorbent Dressings
• Superabsorbent Wound Dressings
• Silicone Superabsorbent Dressings
• Hydroactive Wound Dressings
• Postoperative Dressings

The irrigation solution does not replace these products. It performs a different function within the wound-care process.

HydroClean® Solution & HydroClean® Wound Dressings

Similar name – different product concepts

An important distinction should be made between HydroClean® Solution and HydroClean® wound dressings.

Although both belong to the HARTMANN HydroClean concept, they are fundamentally different products.

HydroClean wound dressings contain superabsorbent polyacrylate embedded in cellulose/pulp fibres and are activated with Ringer's solution. They release Ringer's solution while simultaneously absorbing wound exudate, creating HARTMANN's rinsing-absorption mechanism.

HydroClean Solution, by contrast, is a liquid wound irrigation and cleansing solution.

Wound Irrigation Solution or Hydroactive Wound Dressing?

These products should therefore not be treated as alternatives serving exactly the same purpose.

A wound irrigation solution is primarily used during cleansing and preparation.

A hydroactive wound dressing remains on the wound and performs its specific function during the period between dressing changes.

This functional separation is important for both professional product selection and a clear V-MEDTECH category structure.

Wound Irrigation Solution & Wound Contact Layers

A wound irrigation solution and a wound contact layer can be used at different stages of the same wound-care process.

For example:

cleansing with HydroClean Solution → Atrauman® wound contact layer → absorbent secondary dressing → fixation

HydroClean Solution performs the cleansing function.

Atrauman provides the interface between the wound and secondary dressing.

The absorbent dressing then manages the exudate.

This modular structure allows each product to fulfil a clearly defined role.

Wound Irrigation Solution & Absorbent Dressings

An absorbent dressing such as Zetuvit® is intended primarily to absorb wound exudate and provide protection and cushioning.

HydroClean Solution does not replace this absorption function.

Instead, both products can fulfil successive tasks:

HydroClean Solution → wound cleansing

Zetuvit → absorption & protection

For an exuding wound, an appropriate absorbent dressing may therefore be applied after wound cleansing when clinically suitable.

Wound Irrigation Solution & Superabsorbent Dressings

The distinction is even clearer with superabsorbent dressings.

Products such as Zetuvit® Plus contain SAP technology designed for the absorption and retention of higher quantities of exudate.

HydroClean Solution is a liquid cleansing and irrigation product and contains no absorbent SAP core.

For appropriate wounds, the treatment sequence may therefore consist of:

wound cleansing → wound assessment → superabsorbent dressing → fixation

The wound irrigation solution prepares and cleanses the wound, while the superabsorbent dressing provides ongoing exudate management.

Wound Irrigation Solution & Postoperative Dressings

For appropriate surgical wounds, cleansing and postoperative wound coverage also represent separate functions.

A postoperative dressing such as Cosmopor® Steril combines wound protection, absorption and fixation.

HydroClean Solution is used for cleansing and irrigation where this is indicated.

The two categories should therefore remain clearly separated within V-MEDTECH:

Wound Irrigation Solutions = cleansing and irrigation

Postoperative Dressings = postoperative protection, absorption and fixation

Wound Irrigation or Simple Saline Solution?

Different product concepts for different requirements

Not every wound irrigation fluid has the same composition or intended function.

Simple sterile saline solutions are primarily used for mechanical irrigation.

HydroClean Solution is positioned by HARTMANN as an antiseptic wound cleansing and irrigation solution and contains water, Poloxamer and polyhexanide.

The appropriate solution should therefore be selected according to:

• wound condition
• required type of cleansing
• presence of contamination
• clinical wound-care concept
• intended use of the product
• professional assessment

An antiseptic solution should not automatically be considered necessary for every wound.

How to Choose a Wound Irrigation Solution

What type of wound is being treated?

The intended use of the solution should correspond to the type and condition of the wound.

HydroClean Solution is currently specified by HARTMANN for appropriate acute, chronic and infected wounds as well as first- and second-degree burns.

Is antiseptic cleansing required?

If an antiseptic wound-cleansing concept is indicated, the composition and intended use of the selected solution are important.

HydroClean Solution contains polyhexanide and is specifically described by HARTMANN as an antiseptic solution.

Is wound debris or adherent material present?

Mechanical cleansing may help remove unwanted material from the wound surface.

For firmly adherent dressing material, moistening and softening before careful removal may also be appropriate according to the product instructions.

Which dressing will be used afterwards?

Wound irrigation is only one stage of the wound-care process.

After cleansing, the appropriate dressing should be selected according to the wound's requirements for:

• wound contact
• absorption
• exudate retention
• moisture management
• protection
• fixation

HARTMANN Wound Irrigation at a Glance

Within the current international HARTMANN portfolio, HydroClean Solution is the dedicated liquid product in the Wound Irrigation Solution category.

Wound Irrigation Solutions for Hospitals & Wound Clinics

Professional wound irrigation is relevant across a wide range of clinical environments.

Potential users include:

• hospitals
• surgical departments
• wound-care clinics
• outpatient departments
• diabetic foot clinics
• emergency departments
• long-term care facilities
• specialised wound-management teams

A dedicated wound irrigation solution can be integrated into structured wound-care protocols before the appropriate dressing is applied.

Wound Irrigation Solutions for Medical Practices

Wound cleansing and irrigation are also important in outpatient medical care.

Potential applications can arise in:

• general medical practices
• surgical practices
• dermatology
• outpatient wound care
• specialist wound clinics
• treatment of acute injuries
• chronic wound management

The appropriate wound-care protocol should always be based on professional wound assessment and the instructions for use of the products involved.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wound Irrigation Solutions

What is a wound irrigation solution?

A wound irrigation solution is a liquid product used to cleanse and rinse the wound surface. Depending on its formulation, it may also provide additional functions such as antiseptic cleansing or moisturising.

What is HydroClean® Solution?

HydroClean Solution is HARTMANN's wound irrigation solution for antiseptic cleansing, rinsing, moisturising and care of wounds. Its formulation contains water, Poloxamer and polyhexanide.

Can HydroClean® Solution be used on chronic wounds?

Yes. HARTMANN currently specifies HydroClean Solution for appropriate acute, chronic and infected wounds.

Is HydroClean® Solution the same as HydroClean® wound dressing?

No. HydroClean Solution is a liquid irrigation and cleansing solution. HydroClean is a hydroactive wound dressing containing SAP and Ringer's solution and remains on the wound as part of the dressing system.

Can wound irrigation solution replace an absorbent dressing?

No. A wound irrigation solution is used primarily for cleansing. An absorbent or superabsorbent dressing provides ongoing absorption and protection after cleansing when required.

Can HydroClean® Solution help remove an adherent dressing?

HARTMANN states that adherent dressings can be thoroughly moistened with HydroClean Solution, allowed to soften and then carefully removed.

Buy HARTMANN Wound Irrigation Solutions at V-MEDTECH

At V-MEDTECH, hospitals, wound-care clinics, medical practices and other healthcare professionals can find HARTMANN wound irrigation solutions for professional wound cleansing and preparation.

HydroClean® Solution provides a dedicated solution for antiseptic cleansing, irrigation, moisturising and care of appropriate acute, chronic and infected wounds.

Within the V-MEDTECH wound-care structure, Wound Irrigation Solutions remain clearly separated from Hydroactive Wound Dressings, Wound Contact Layers, Absorbent Dressings, Superabsorbent Wound Dressings and Postoperative Dressings, allowing products to be selected according to their primary function.