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Mepitel can be left in place for up to 14 days depending on the condition of the wound which reduces the necessity for frequent primary dressing changes. The porous structure of Mepitel allows exudate to pass into an outer absorbent dressing. The Safetac layer prevents the outer dressing from sticking to the wound and ensures atraumatic dressing changes. The Safetac layer seals around the wound edges, preventing the exudate from leaking onto the surrounding skin, thus minimizing the risk of maceration.

Benefits of Meptel

• Minimizes pain and trauma at dressing changes
• Can remain in place for up to 14 days which in turn ensures undisturbed wound healing
• Enables less frequent dressing changes
• Minimizes the risk of maceration
• Maintained product properties over time - leaves no residues and does not dry out
• Transparent for easy wound inspection during application and during wear
• Conforms well to body contours, promoting patient comfort during wear
• Stays in place
• Low potential for skin irritation and allergy
  

Areas of use
Mepitel is designed for a wide range of wounds such as skin tears, skin abrasions, surgical incisions, second degree burns, blistering, lacerations, partial and full thickness grafts, diabetic ulcers, venous and arterial ulcers.

Product Description

Mepitel is a porous, transparent and flexible wound contact layer with adherent properties. It consists of a flexible polyamide net coated with a soft silicone layer, Safetac. Mepitel is not absorbent.

Safetac Technology

Safetac is a patented soft silicone adhesive technology. On the wound, Safetac assures non-sticking and minimal trauma on removal even in critical situations when the exudate starts to dry out. On the skin, a dressing with Safetac has gentle but secure adhesion with no epidermal stripping or pain on removal.

Mode of action
The soft silicone seals around the wound edges, preventing the exudate from reaching the surrounding skin, thus preventing maceration. The open mesh structure allows exudate to pass vertically into a secondary absorbent dressing pad, which must be changed as required by the conditions of the wound and the
amount of exudate in order to prevent maceration. The integrity of the Mepitel dressing and the Safetac properties reduce the necessity for frequent primary dressing changes and allows pain free secondary dressing changes as required. On removal, Mepitel cause minimal trauma and pain.

Intended use
Mepitel is designed for a wide range of wounds such as skin tears, skin abrasions, surgical incisions, second degree burns, blistering, lacerations, partial and full thickness grafts, diabetic ulcers, venous and arterial ulcers.

Instructions for use

Application:

1. Clean the wound carefully, if needed, and dry the surrounding skin.
2. Choose a size of Mepitel that covers the wound and the surrounding skin by at least 2 cm. Mepitel can be cut to size, if needed, before removing the protective films. If more than one piece of Mepitel is required, overlap the dressings, making sure that the pores are not blocked.
3. While holding the larger protective film, remove the smaller one. Moisten gloves to avoid adherence to Mepitel.
4. Apply Mepitel over the wound. Smooth Mepitel in place onto the surrounding skin, ensuring a good seal.
5. Remove the remaining protective film. Where clinically indicated, treatments such as topical steroids, topical antimicrobials or hydrogels can be applied over the top of or under Mepitel.
6. Apply a secondary absorbent dressing pad (e.g. Mesorb) on top of Mepitel. In contoured or jointed areas (e.g. under arm, under breast, inner elbow, groin, deep wounds), ensure sufficient padding is applied to keep the Mepitel held flat
   against the surface of the wound.
7. Fix in place with a suitable fixation device. Mepitel can be used under compression bandages.

Frequency of change

Mepitel can be left in place for several days depending on the condition of the wound (exudate should pass freely through the dressing and the pores should not be blocked). If saturated, the secondary absorbent dressing pad should be changed with the Mepitel left in place. Mepitel is a single use dressing. If the condition of the wound deteriorates unexpectedly, consult a healthcare professional for the appropriate medical treatment.

Warnings

When Mepitel is used on burns treated with meshed grafts or after facial resurfacing imprints can occur if the product is not used properly.

Precautions

• The wound should be inspected for signs of infection according to clinical practice.
• Consult a healthcare professional for the appropriate medical treatment.
• Mepitel used on burns treated with meshed grafts:
  avoid placing unnecessary pressure upon the dressing.
• Mepitel used after facial resurfacing: avoid placing pressure upon the dressing lift and reposition the dressing at least every second day.
• When used on bleeding wounds or wounds with high viscosity exudate, Mepitel should be covered with a moist absorbent dressing pad.
• When Mepitel is used for the fixation of skin grafts and protection of blisters, the dressing should not be changed before the fifth day post application.

Sterility is guaranteed unless inner package is damaged or opened prior to use. Do not re-sterilise.

Mepitel and Safetac are registered trademarks of Mölnlycke Health Care AB.

How frequently should Mepitel be changed?
As a general rule, Mepitel can be left in place for several days (up to 14 days) depending on the wound condition. Mepitel can be used on a variety of different types of wounds, each with its own specific wound care protocol and characteristics. Mepitel should be observed at the time of each cover dressing change to be sure the pores remain unclogged with thick exudate or other material. Although the general condition of the wound can be observed through the Mepitel in place the dressing should be changed when the clinician wishes to examine the wound bed closely.

Are there other considerations for using Mepitel for fixation of skin grafts?
Yes. Be sure haemostasis (the arrest of bleeding) is achieved before applying the Mepitel over the graft, otherwise draining blood will clog the pores. With mesh grafts, use moist secondary dressings after procedures and change them on the first and third day post-operative. Mepitel should not be removed within the first five days post-operative.

Can Mepitel be washed and reapplied to the same wound?
No. Mepitel is a sterile, single use product. All testing and published data of Mepitel was completed in this manner. It is strongly urged that clinicians follow the standard recommendations for Infection Control protocols.

Can Mepitel be used concomitantly with topical creams or ointments?
Yes, if desired. The porosity of Mepitel will allow creams or ointments to come in contact with wound bed tissue either when applied over the top or underneath the Mepitel. It is recommended, however, when changing the cover dressing, that the pores be observed for occlusion. If too many pores become occluded, it may cause a damming effect and the Mepitel should be changed.

Can Mepitel be used as a dressing for donor sites?
Many clinics around the world use Mepitel on donor sites. The regime often used is to cover with moist gauze that is changed daily as long as the donor site is bleeding.

Can two or more pieces of Mepitel be overlapped for use on larger wounds?
Mepitel remains in place best over wounds when one continuous piece is used and anchored on all four edges with at least 1 cm to intact skin surrounding the wound. It is recommended to use a size that accomplishes this goal whenever possible. When a wound is larger than can be accommodated by our largest size 9"*12" (20*30 cm), you may use and overlap two or more pieces by up to 1 cm, but observe the overlapped edges at each change of the cover dressing to ensure that they remain in contact. Note that the overlap may cause occlusion of the holes in that area. On larger wound this has no practical implications, but we do not recommend it on smaller wounds.