Smith & Nephew Exu-Dry Anti-Shear Full Absorbent Wound Dressing
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Smith & Nephew Exu-Dry Anti-Shear Absorbent Wound Dressing — Replaces Gauze & ABD Pads, 9 Sizes
A single multi-layer dressing that replaces non-adherent dressings, gauze, and abdominal pads — with an anti-shear layer that protects fragile granulation tissue and full-depth absorption that wicks drainage into the entire dressing, not just the surface. Smith & Nephew Exu-Dry Anti-Shear Absorbent Wound Dressing is a one-piece, sealed multi-layer dressing engineered to replace the traditional three-part wound assembly of non-adherent contact layer, gauze fill, and ABD pad cover in a single self-contained dressing. The sealed multi-layer construction eliminates the primary problems of traditional gauze and ABD assemblies — frayed edges, loose threads, linting into the wound bed, and gauze adherence to granulating tissue that causes pain and disruption at dressing changes. The unique anti-shear layer reduces friction between the dressing and healing wound surface, protecting fragile granulation tissue from the shearing force that standard gauze and ABD pad movement causes. The highly absorbent rayon/cellulose inner layers wick drainage from the wound surface into the full depth of the dressing — distributing exudate evenly to reduce surface saturation, maceration risk, and dressing change frequency. Non-occlusive and permeable — can be used wet or dry on clean or contaminated wounds and is compatible with most topical agents.
✔ One Piece Replaces Gauze, Non-Adherent Dressing & ABD Pad — Single-Step Assembly ✔ Anti-Shear Layer — Reduces Friction, Protects Fragile Granulation Tissue ✔ Full-Depth Absorption — Wicks Drainage Into Entire Dressing, Not Just Surface ✔ Sealed Construction — No Lint, No Frayed Edges, No Loose Threads in Wound Bed ✔ Wet or Dry Use — Compatible With Most Topical Agents, Permeable & Non-Occlusive
Product Details
| Manufacturer | Smith & Nephew |
|---|---|
| Product | Exu-Dry Anti-Shear Full Absorbent Wound Dressing |
| Available Sizes | 9 sizes — Item #s 5999003, 5999006, 5999009, 5999018, 5999034, 5999004120, 5999M04, 5999M36, 5999PTM (see size guide below) |
| Construction | Multi-layer sealed one-piece dressing — 4 distinct layers, no loose components |
| Outer Layer | High-density polyethylene — durable protective outer surface |
| Inner Layers | Highly absorbent rayon/cellulose blend — wicks and distributes exudate throughout full dressing depth |
| Anti-Shear Layer | High-density polyethylene — reduces friction and shearing force against wound surface and granulation tissue |
| Wound Contact Layer | High-density polyethylene — non-adherent, does not bond to wound bed or granulating tissue |
| Adherence | Non-adherent — does not bond to wound bed, reduces trauma at dressing changes |
| Occlusion | Non-occlusive and permeable — allows gas exchange, suitable for wet or dry wound environments |
| Topical Compatibility | Compatible with most topical agents, liquids, and creams |
| Sealed Construction | Eliminates frayed edges, loose threads, and linting — no fiber contamination of the wound bed |
| Secondary Dressing | May be used alone or secured with tape, bandage wrap, or secondary cover dressing |
| Sterility | Sterile — individually packaged |
| HCPCS Codes | A6251 (smaller sizes) | A6252 (medium sizes) | A6253 (large sizes — as billed by size) |
Indicated For — Wound Types & Applications
- Partial and full thickness wounds — primary absorbent dressing
- Post-surgical wounds — replaces ABD pads and gauze at surgical sites
- Trauma wounds — lacerations, abrasions, and impact injuries with drainage
- First and second degree burns — non-adherent, anti-shear protection for burn surfaces
- Skin tears — anti-shear layer protects fragile re-epithelializing surfaces
- Pressure ulcers — exudate absorption with anti-shear protection for granulating wounds
- Donor sites and graft sites
- Wounds requiring wet dressing application — compatible with saline, topical agents, and antimicrobials
- Any wound where gauze adherence, linting, or frayed edge contamination is a clinical concern
- High-drainage wounds requiring extended wear time and reduced dressing change frequency
Note: Exu-Dry is non-occlusive and permeable — it can be used on both clean and contaminated wounds as a wet or dry dressing. It is not a sealed occlusive dressing and does not provide a waterproof external barrier. For infected wounds follow local clinical protocols for wound management.
How It Works — What Makes Exu-Dry Different From Gauze & ABD Pads
Traditional wound dressing assemblies — non-adherent contact layer, gauze fill, ABD pad, tape — have three clinical failure points that Exu-Dry addresses in its sealed one-piece design. First, gauze and ABD pads are made of loose woven fibers that fray, lint, and shed into the wound bed — particularly problematic on granulating wounds where fiber contamination can impair healing and cause foreign body reactions. Exu-Dry's sealed construction eliminates this entirely — the layered construction is heat-sealed at all edges, preventing fraying, threading, or linting regardless of how the dressing is handled or positioned on the wound. Second, gauze adheres to healing tissue — as granulation tissue forms, gauze fibers integrate into the tissue surface, and removal tears away the very healing the wound has accomplished. The Exu-Dry wound contact layer is high-density polyethylene — it forms no bond with wound tissue. Third, standard gauze wicks drainage to the surface and saturates quickly, pooling against the wound. Exu-Dry's rayon/cellulose inner layers distribute and wick drainage throughout the full depth and width of the dressing — keeping the wound surface drier, extending wear time, and reducing maceration of the wound bed and periwound skin.
| Layer | Function |
|---|---|
| Wound Contact Layer — HDPE | Non-adherent surface — does not bond to wound bed or granulation tissue, allows drainage to pass upward into absorbent layers |
| Anti-Shear Layer — HDPE | Reduces friction between wound surface and dressing — protects fragile granulation tissue from shearing damage during patient movement and dressing changes |
| Inner Absorbent Layers — Rayon/Cellulose | Wicks and distributes drainage throughout full dressing depth — prevents surface saturation, reduces maceration and dressing change frequency |
| Outer Layer — HDPE | Durable protective surface — permeable, non-occlusive, sealed to all inner layers to prevent fraying and linting |
- Sealed construction — no frayed edges, loose threads, or lint — no fiber contamination of wound bed
- Non-adherent contact layer — lifts cleanly from wound bed, no disruption of granulation tissue
- Anti-shear layer — reduces friction against wound surface during patient movement and dressing changes
- Full-depth wicking — exudate distributed throughout dressing, not pooled at surface
- Replaces 3-part gauze assembly in one dressing — saves nursing time and reduces supply cost
- Wet or dry use — permeable and non-occlusive for use on clean or contaminated wounds
- Compatible with most topicals — apply creams, gels, or antimicrobials before applying Exu-Dry
- Soft, pliable, and conformable — accommodates virtually any wound location or body contour
- Wide range of sizes and shapes — 9 configurations from 3" x 4" to 20" x 28" for any wound dimension
Choosing the Right Size
| Item # | Size | Qty/Box | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5999034 | 3" x 4" | 50/box | Smallest flat size — highest count per box, ideal for small wounds, lacerations, skin tears, and compact post-surgical sites |
| 5999004120 | 4" x 6" | 10/box | Standard medium size — most widely used for general wound, pressure ulcer, and post-surgical management |
| 5999003 | 4" x 14" | 50/box | Narrow elongated — lower leg, forearm, shin wounds and extended surgical incision sites |
| 5999006 | 6" x 9" | 50/box | Medium-large — broad wound coverage for larger pressure injuries, burns, and donor sites |
| 5999009 | 9" x 15" | 25/box | Large — heavily exuding wounds, extensive burns, large pressure injuries, and post-surgical sites requiring broad absorbent coverage |
| 5999018 | 9" x 36" | 10/box | Extra-long — full lower extremity wound coverage, extensive burns, and large post-surgical abdominal sites |
| 5999M04 | 4" x 6" Mitt | 25/box | Mitt format for hand, finger, and foot wounds — pre-formed shape provides full coverage without cutting or shaping |
| 5999M36 | Mitt Large | 25/box | Large mitt format — larger hands, feet, and full foot wound coverage including heel and ankle |
| 5999PTM | 20" x 28" | 30/case | Largest size — extensive burns, large abdominal wounds, trauma patients, and any application requiring maximum single-piece coverage |
Selection Tip: Select a dressing size that covers the full wound surface plus 1–2" overlap onto surrounding intact skin on all sides. For mitt sizes — use the pre-formed mitt configuration directly over the hand or foot without cutting. All flat sizes can be folded or layered for deeper wound packing if additional absorbency is needed.
Not sure which size is right for your wound? Call 1-866-218-0902 — Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm EST
Why Buy From Medical Department Store?
- 30+ years serving home medical, wound care, and clinical supply customers
- 110% Low Price Guarantee — we beat any competitor's price
- Medical supply specialists on the phone — not a call center
- Ships to all 50 states — 5 Southwest Florida locations for local pickup
- Full-service medical supply store — Home Medical Equipment, Mobility, Respiratory & Beds
Questions about Exu-Dry or any of our Smith & Nephew wound care products? Call 1-866-218-0902 — our team is ready to help.
