Background/Objectives: Foam dressings are designed for their ability to manage exudate and are selected to optimize wound repair. Various foam dressings are available, ranging from basic polyurethane to more sophisticated options, incorporating active components to combat infections or foster healing. This study investigates the requirements for the most suitable foam dressing through a combination of field research, laboratory testing, and clinical evaluation. Methods: We tested 17 foam dressings commonly used by wound care professionals while attending an international conference. An effective foam dressing should absorb wound fluid for several days, as wound care professionals value absorption and retention capacity, often favoring less frequent changing dressings, preferably twice a week or even weekly. Results: The foam dressings tested can absorb the expected amount of exudate typically produced by different wound types. There is some variability in retention capacity and product prices, resulting in differences in cost-effectiveness among products. In addition, some dressings are enriched with active ingredients that can accelerate healing through their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, such as foam dressings infused with silver or honey. A honey-based foam dressing was evaluated in a clinical survey involving eight wound care specialists, and four clinical cases with varying wound pathologies were discussed in more detail to highlight its key properties. Conclusions: Ideally, a foam dressing should have adequate absorption and retention capacities, effectively resolve and prevent infections, protect against external trauma, ensure optimal patient comfort without damaging newly formed granulation tissue, accelerate wound healing processes, and reduce wound care time (e.g., remaining in place for 7 days). Together, these factors make honey- or silver-loaded foam dressings more cost-effective than plain dressings due to their antimicrobial activities and ability to nourish tissues.

Department of Dentistry Orthodontics and Craniofacial Biology Radboudumc 6525 EX Nijmegen The Netherlands

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics Maastricht University Medical Center 6202 AZ Maastricht The Netherlands

Department of Health Sciences College of Polytechnics Jihlava 586 01 Jihlava Czech Republic

Department of Health Sciences Faculty of Medicine Masaryk University 625 00 Brno Czech Republic

DiaPodi Care spol s r o 392 01 Soběslav Czech Republic

Faculty of Health and Social Sciences University of South Bohemia 370 11 České Budějovice Czech Republic

GP Plastic Surgery Private Practice 45444 Ioannina Greece

Johannesburg 1612 South Africa

Triticum Exploitatie BV 6222 NK Maastricht The Netherlands

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