Product Name: | Versiva |
Classification Name: | Self-adhesive carboxymethylcellulose island dressing |
Manufacturer: | ConvaTec |
Versiva is an absorbent, self-adhesive island dressing.
The absorbent core of the dressing consists of a layer of sodium carboxymethylcellulose fibres located centrally upon a larger piece of a thin sheet consisting of a polyurethane foam/film laminate. The patient contact surface of the dressing is coated with a perforated layer of a hydrocolloid adhesive that extends to the outer margins of the dressing.
The dressing absorbs and interacts with wound exudate to form a soft, hydrophilic, gas-permeable gel thus trapping wound fluid and preventing lateral leakage or backflow into the wound even under compression.
The outer foam/film layer is permeable to moisture vapour, which further enhances the fluid-handling properties of the dressing, whilst providing an effective bacterial/viral barrier.
The dressing is easy to remove without causing pain or trauma, and leaves minimal residue on the surface of the wound.
Versiva is indicated for the treatment of most types of exuding chronic and acute wounds including leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, traumatic wounds and second-degree burns. It can also be used in conjunction with fibrous alginate or carboxymethyllulose dressings in the treatment of deeper wounds, or in situations where enhanced absorbency is required.
Versiva can be used in the management of infected wounds under medical supervision.
Although there are no known contra-indications to the use of Versiva, the dressing will be of little value if applied to wounds that are very dry, or covered with hard black necrotic tissue.
A suitably sized dressing is chosen that provides a minimum overlap onto the healthy skin surrounding the wound of 1-2 cm. The backing layer is removed and the dressing gently smoothed into position, taking care not to stretch it during the application process.
Versiva may be left in place for up to seven days, although the interval between changes will be determined by the condition of the wound.
Wounds that show signs of clinical infection may be dressed with Versiva but the dressing should be changed frequently and the use of systemic antibiotic therapy considered. The dressing should not be used on patients with a known sensitivity to this dressing or one of its components.
The dressings are presented individually packed in peel pouches, sterilised by gamma radiation.
Versiva is available in range of shapes and sizes, some of which have been specially designed for application to heel and sacral wounds.
9cm × 9cm
14cm × 14cm
19cm × 19cm
19cm × 24cm
19.5cm × 18.5cm heel
21cm × 22.4cm sacral
Daniels S, Sibbald RG, Ennis W, Eager CA. Evaluation of a new composite dressing for the management of chronic leg ulcer wounds. J Wound Care 2002;11(8):290-4.
Further information on obtaining ConvaTec products is available on the
ConvaTec web site.
Revision Author | Dr S. Thomas |
Revision No | 1.6 |
Revision date | 2004/07/09 |
This datacard has been prepared from data provided by the manufacturer and/or from published literature.