Chapter 8 - Antibacterial hydrogel dressings and their applications in wound treatment

Abstract

Antimicrobial hydrogels have been extensively studied for wound management, owing to their high water content, lower wound adherence, promoted autolysis debridement, epithelial migration, and granulation growth. A wide range of antimicrobial hydrogels have been developed as a result of recent advances in materials science, biotechnology, and a better understanding of wound microbiology. These new antimicrobial hydrogels are capable of preventing and controlling microbial infection. They also have wound healing functions for better wound management. This chapter will provide a comprehensive summary of the currently studied antimicrobial hydrogels in the literature and available hydrogel dressings on the market, including their design, fabrication method, and in vitro or in vivo wound management efficacy. The detailed and critical discussion of the benefits and drawbacks of each type of hydrogel dressing will provide insights into the future design of antimicrobial hydrogels for improved wound management in clinical applications.