DURAFIBER

When a wound has moved beyond infection and is producing consistent volumes of exudate, the dressing it needs is one that absorbs reliably, maintains a moist wound contact, and comes away cleanly without disrupting the healing tissue. DuraFiber is a synthetic gelling fibre dressing from Smith & Nephew for moderately to heavily exuding clean wounds. The fibres absorb exudate vertically and gel in place, maintaining the wound environment between changes. Five configurations include three flat sheets and two cavity formats. No silver, no active agents. Secondary dressing required. No prescription needed.

DuraFiber is a Class IIb regulated medical device from Smith & Nephew. It is the non-silver version of DuraFiber Ag and uses the same synthetic gelling fibre technology without any antimicrobial component. The dressing is a primary wound contact material that absorbs wound exudate and gels in place. It has no adhesive, no backing layer, and no silver. A secondary dressing is required for fixation and additional absorbency.

The technology itself is a synthetic fibre that differs from natural alginate fibres in its absorption behaviour. Alginate fibres, derived from seaweed, gel through an ion exchange mechanism driven by calcium in the wound fluid. DuraFiber's synthetic fibres gel through absorption of wound moisture directly, producing a soft cohesive mass that holds together at removal.

DuraFiber is positioned within wound management as the step-down from DuraFiber Ag. When a wound that was previously treated with DuraFiber Ag shows signs of infection resolution, reduced redness, less offensive exudate, wound bed improving, the clinical recommendation is to continue the same gelling fibre format without the silver. DuraFiber allows that continuity of wound contact material while removing the antimicrobial component that is no longer needed. It can also be used as a first-line gelling fibre dressing on wounds that are clean from the outset.

Five configurations are available: 5cm x 5cm, 10cm x 10cm, and 15cm x 15cm flat sheets for wound surface contact, and 2cm x 45cm and 4cm x 20cm strips for cavity wounds and sinus tracts.

DuraFiber contains no antimicrobial agents. It should not be used on infected wounds. If a wound that was previously clean develops signs of infection, spreading redness, increased warmth, offensive exudate, or unexpected worsening, seek clinical assessment before continuing with DuraFiber. DuraFiber Ag provides the same gelling fibre wound contact with the addition of ionic silver for infected or at risk wounds.

Vertical Absorption and Gel Formation

The synthetic fibres absorb wound exudate in a vertical direction through the fibre structure. Rather than allowing fluid to spread laterally across the dressing surface toward the periwound skin, the vertical absorption draws fluid upward through the fibre. As the fibres take on exudate, they swell and soften from a dry structure into a soft cohesive gel that conforms to the wound surface. This gel maintains a consistent moist environment at the wound bed throughout the wear period.

Cohesive Gel at Removal

The gel formed by DuraFiber holds together as a single coherent mass throughout the wear period and at removal. This cohesive behaviour means the dressing separates from the wound as one piece rather than leaving fragments on the wound surface. For the 2cm x 45cm and 4cm x 20cm cavity strips, the cohesive gel allows the strip to be retrieved as a continuous length. Irrigating the wound with sterile saline before removal softens the gel and helps separate the dressing from the wound surface.

Moist Wound Environment

Maintaining a moist wound contact environment throughout the wear period supports the cellular activity involved in wound healing. Cell migration across the wound surface, development of granulation tissue, and the process of natural debridement of non-viable wound material all proceed more readily when the wound surface is kept consistently moist rather than being allowed to dry and form a scab between changes.

Flat Sheet Application

• Wash hands and use gloves.
• Clean the wound with sterile saline.
• Apply DuraFiber dry to the wound bed. Do not pre-wet.
• Apply a secondary dressing.
• Label with the date and time.

Cavity Strip Application - 2cm x 45cm and 4cm x 20cm

• Introduce the strip loosely into the wound cavity or sinus tract.
• Do not pack tightly. The strip must not be forced or compressed into the cavity.
• Always leave a visible retrieval portion outside the wound opening at all times.
• Never fully insert a strip inside a cavity.
• Apply a secondary dressing over the wound surface opening.
• Document the number of strips used.

Removal

• Irrigate the wound with sterile saline to soften the gelled fibre.
• For cavity strips, retrieve by the accessible end and count out.
• Confirm all strips have been retrieved before the next application.
• Assess the wound at each change.

For cavity strips, 2cm x 45cm and 4cm x 20cm count in and count out at every single change. If the full strip cannot be retrieved, do not attempt further extraction. Irrigate thoroughly and seek clinical assessment before applying the next dressing. Cavity wound management should always be under clinical supervision.

DuraFiber 5cm x 5cm

A small flat sheet for compact wound areas, digit wound sites, and localised wound surfaces where a larger format would extend well beyond the wound area.

DuraFiber 10cm x 10cm

A medium square sheet for moderate-sized moderately to heavily exuding clean wounds across a range of wound types and body sites.

DuraFiber 15cm x 15cm

A larger square for more extensive wound areas where the 10cm x 10cm sheet does not provide adequate wound surface coverage.

DuraFiber 2cm x 45cm - Cavity Strip

A narrow strip for cavity wounds, sinus tracts, and tunnelling wounds. The 2cm width is suited to narrower cavity openings. The 45cm length provides sufficient strip for most accessible cavity depths with retrieval material remaining outside the wound. Must be applied loosely with retrieval end always outside the wound. Must be counted in and out at every change.

DuraFiber 4cm x 20cm - Cavity Strip

A wider and shorter cavity strip suited to broader cavity openings where the 2cm width would not provide adequate contact with the cavity walls, and where the wound depth is manageable within the 20cm length. Must be applied loosely with retrieval end always outside the wound. Must be counted in and out at every change.

The choice between the two cavity strips is guided by the cavity width and depth. Seek clinical guidance from a tissue viability nurse or district nurse on cavity packing approach for complex or deep wound cavities.

Do Not Use DuraFiber If

• The wound is infected - DuraFiber has no antimicrobial action. Use DuraFiber Ag for infected or at risk wounds.
• The wound is dry - gelling fibre requires exudate to activate.
• Known sensitivity to any component of the dressing.

Cavity Strip Precautions

• Apply loosely. Never pack tightly.
• Retrieval portion must always remain outside the wound.
• Count in and out. Document numbers.
• If not fully retrievable, seek clinical assessment immediately.

General Precautions

• Single use only.
• Secondary dressing always required.
• Do not use MRI with dressing in place.

Adverse Effects

• Wound desiccation if exudate output falls significantly - reassess dressing choice.
• Skin sensitivity to the fibre material - rare; discontinue and seek clinical advice if persistent irritation develops.

Wounds Where DuraFiber Is Appropriate

• Moderately to heavily exuding clean wounds including venous leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and post-operative wounds where gelling fibre wound contact and moist wound management are the clinical priorities
• Wounds transitioning from DuraFiber Ag following infection resolution, where maintaining the same gelling fibre wound contact without silver is the clinical aim
• Cavity wounds, sinus tracts, and tunnelling wounds using the 2cm x 45cm or 4cm x 20cm strip formats under clinical supervision
• Adults and children under healthcare professional supervision

DuraFiber vs DuraFiber Ag

DuraFiber and DuraFiber Ag use the same synthetic gelling fibre technology. DuraFiber Ag adds ionic silver for infected or at risk wounds and has eight configurations including larger flat sheets and additional cavity strip sizes. DuraFiber has no silver and five configurations, three flat sheets and two cavity strips. DuraFiber is the step-down from DuraFiber Ag when infection resolves, and silver is no longer clinically indicated. It is also used as a primary gelling fibre dressing for clean wounds where silver is not required.

DuraFiber is a regulated medical device and does not require a prescription. All five configurations are available from Pharmacy Planet.

Our pharmacists can advise on configuration selection and on whether DuraFiber or DuraFiber Ag is appropriate for the current state of a specific wound.

Cavity wounds and complex wounds should be managed under clinical supervision. Seek assessment from a tissue viability nurse or district nurse alongside dressing purchase for these wound types.

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct light.
• Do not store above 25°C.
• Keep in original sealed packaging until immediately before use.
• Do not use if packaging is damaged.
• Check expiry date before use.
• Apply as soon as packaging is opened.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Dispose of used dressings as clinical waste.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered online pharmacy. All five DuraFiber configurations are genuine Smith & Nephew products stocked through regulated UK supply chains.

Our pharmacists can advise on DuraFiber configuration selection and on when transitioning from DuraFiber Ag to DuraFiber is clinically appropriate.

References

1. Smith & Nephew. DuraFiber — Instructions for Use. Smith & Nephew. https://www.smith-nephew.com. Accessed May 2026.
2. Wounds UK. Best Practice Statement: Wound exudate — effective assessment and management. https://www.wounds-uk.com. Accessed May 2026.
3. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Wound care products: selection and prescribing. https://www.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.
4. NHS. Pressure sores (pressure ulcers). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pressure-sores. Accessed May 2026.