SORBSAN Packing

IMPORTANT: Sorbsan Packing must always be packed loosely into the wound cavity. Never pack tightly. Overpacking impedes wound contraction and can cause pressure damage to the wound tissues. Always leave a visible tail of the rope extending beyond the wound entrance to allow full retrieval at each dressing change. Full retrieval is mandatory at every dressing change.

Cavity wounds, pilonidal sinuses, deep pressure ulcer cavities, and surgical wound dehiscences present a wound management challenge that flat dressings cannot address. The wound cavity extends beyond the wound surface and requires a packing material that can be introduced into the depth of the wound, absorb exudate produced within the cavity, maintain a moist healing environment throughout the wound depth, and be retrieved safely at dressing change. Sorbsan Packing is a calcium alginate rope dressing from Aspen Medical Europe for cavity and deep wound packing. 30cm. Requires secondary dressing. No prescription required.

Sorbsan Packing is a regulated medical device from Aspen Medical Europe. It is a rope or ribbon format of calcium alginate fibres, 30cm in length, designed to be loosely introduced into wound cavities, sinuses, and deep wound spaces. The calcium alginate fibres of Sorbsan Packing work through the same ion exchange mechanism as the Sorbsan Dressing flat pad: when the alginate contacts wound exudate, calcium ions in the fibres are exchanged for sodium ions from the exudate, converting the fibrous rope into a soft gel within the cavity.

The rope format allows Sorbsan Packing to be introduced into wound spaces that a flat pad dressing cannot reach. The rope can be guided along the length of a wound cavity, introduced into a sinus tract, or used to pack the undermined areas of a deep wound. The 30cm length provides sufficient material to fill typical cavity dimensions, with any excess trimmed or folded at the wound entrance.

The gel forming process within the wound cavity manages exudate at depth, maintains a moist wound environment throughout the full wound volume, and allows the rope to be removed as a gel mass at dressing change without adhering firmly to the wound walls. A tail of the rope must always be left accessible outside the wound entrance to confirm the packing is fully retrieved at each dressing change.

Sorbsan Packing shares the mild haemostatic properties of the Sorbsan Dressing flat pad, with calcium ions released during the ion exchange contributing to the coagulation process at the wound surface. This makes it suitable for cavity wounds that ooze at dressing change or that have minor bleeding within the cavity. Sorbsan Packing always requires a secondary dressing to close the wound entrance and protect the packed cavity.

Sorbsan Packing is a primary cavity wound dressing that must always be covered by an appropriate secondary dressing. Do not leave the wound cavity open and unpacked between changes if Sorbsan Packing is part of the wound management plan. Ensure the full length of packing used at each change is documented so that full retrieval can be confirmed at the next change.

Calcium Alginate Ion Exchange in Cavity Wounds

When Sorbsan Packing is introduced into a wound cavity containing exudate, the calcium alginate fibres contact the wound fluid. Sodium ions from the exudate displace calcium ions from the alginate binding sites, initiating the conversion of the calcium alginate fibres into sodium alginate gel. This gel forms progressively throughout the length of the packed rope as exudate contacts the fibres. In a deep cavity with good exudate production, the full length of the packed rope will eventually gel during the wear period.

Exudate Management at Wound Depth

Cavity wounds can accumulate exudate within the wound space that a flat surface dressing cannot reach or absorb. Sorbsan Packing absorbs exudate throughout the depth of the wound cavity as the alginate gels. This absorption prevents exudate from pooling in the cavity, which would create a bacterial growth environment and delay healing. The gel within the cavity also maintains a moist wound environment at depth, supporting granulation tissue formation and wound contraction from the base of the cavity upward.

Wound Bed Contact at Depth

For a cavity wound to heal by secondary intention, granulation tissue must form progressively from the wound base upward. This requires the wound base and walls to have contact with a moist, clean dressing material. Sorbsan Packing, introduced loosely into the cavity and gelling in place, provides this wound contact at depth. Loose packing is essential: tightly packed material compresses the wound tissues and prevents the wound from contracting, which is the mechanism by which cavity wounds close.

Retrieval as a Gel Mass

At each dressing change, the gelled Sorbsan Packing can be retrieved from the cavity as a cohesive gel mass by gently pulling the tail left at the wound entrance. The gel state of the packing at removal means it does not adhere firmly to the cavity walls or granulation tissue, reducing trauma to the wound bed during removal. Any residual gel remaining in the cavity after retrieval is irrigated away with sterile saline before fresh packing is introduced.

Assessment Before Packing

• Assess the wound cavity dimensions, depth, and the presence and location of any sinus tracts before packing.
• Confirm the wound is producing sufficient exudate to activate the alginate. If the cavity is dry, moisten the Sorbsan Packing with sterile saline before introduction.
• Use an appropriate wound probe or assessment tool to establish cavity depth before each packing.

Packing the Wound

• Irrigate the cavity with sterile saline before introducing the packing.
• Gently guide the Sorbsan Packing rope into the cavity using a gloved finger or appropriate wound packing tool.
• Pack LOOSELY. Do not compress or tightly fill the cavity. The packing should contact the wound walls without exerting pressure on the tissues.
• Leave a visible tail of the Sorbsan Packing extending beyond the wound entrance.
• Record the length of packing introduced into the wound at each dressing change.

CRITICAL SAFETY REQUIREMENT: Always leave a visible tail extending outside the wound entrance. At every dressing change, count the pieces of packing introduced and confirm full retrieval before applying new packing. Never pack tightly. Retained packing in a wound cavity is a clinical incident.

Secondary Dressing and Completion

• Apply an appropriate secondary dressing over the wound entrance to protect the packed cavity.
• Secure the secondary dressing in place.

Removal

• Remove the secondary dressing first.
• Gently pull the accessible tail of the packing to retrieve it from the cavity.
• If the packing has not gelled and is adhering to the wound walls, moisten with sterile saline and allow it to soften before retrieval.
• Confirm full retrieval against the length documented at the previous change.
• Irrigate the cavity with sterile saline before introducing fresh packing.

Sorbsan Packing 30cm

Each Sorbsan Packing is supplied as a 30cm length calcium alginate rope in individual sterile packaging. The 30cm length provides sufficient material for most standard cavity wound packing applications. The rope may be cut to a shorter length where a shallower cavity requires less material. Any length cut from the rope and introduced into the wound must be documented so that full retrieval can be confirmed. Where a larger cavity requires packing beyond 30cm, additional ropes may be used, and each must be counted, documented, and fully retrieved.

Critical Safety Requirements

• Always leave a tail of packing visible outside the wound entrance.
• Always document the length and number of pieces introduced at each dressing change.
• Confirm full retrieval at every dressing change before introducing new packing.
• Pack loosely at all times.

When Not to Use Sorbsan Packing

• Dry cavities with no exudate, where the packing cannot gel. Moisten with saline if the wound is transitioning from dry to exuding.
• Cavities where full retrieval cannot be guaranteed.
• Third degree burns without specialist clinical direction.
• Known sensitivity to alginates or materials derived from seaweed.

Adverse Effects

• Retained packing if retrieval is not confirmed at each change.
• Pressure necrosis of cavity walls if the wound is packed too tightly.
• Skin sensitivity to alginate material in susceptible individuals.

Cavity Wounds Where Sorbsan Packing Is Appropriate

• Deep pressure ulcer cavities with moderate to heavy exudate and a clean wound base suitable for cavity packing
• Pilonidal sinus wounds following surgical treatment, where the cavity requires packing during the healing phase
• Surgical wound dehiscences where the open cavity is healing by secondary intention with adequate exudate
• Undermined or tunnelling chronic wounds where the alginate rope can be introduced along the tunnel length
• Any exuding cavity wound where a clinician has determined that packing is part of the wound management plan

Sorbsan Packing vs Sorbsan Dressing Flat Pad

Sorbsan Packing and Sorbsan Dressing are both calcium alginate products from Aspen Medical Europe that work through the same ion exchange gel forming mechanism. Sorbsan Dressing (flat pad) is suited to surface wounds where a flat contact dressing covers the wound bed. Sorbsan Packing (rope format) is suited to cavity wounds, sinuses, and tunnelling wounds where the rope can be introduced into the wound depth. The choice between the two formats is based entirely on the wound anatomy: surface wound uses the flat pad; cavity wound uses the packing.

Sorbsan Packing does not require a prescription. The 30cm rope is available from Pharmacy Planet without a clinical consultation.

Cavity wound packing requires assessment of wound depth and dimensions and carries specific retrieval safety requirements. Our pharmacists can advise on Sorbsan Packing and on the correct approach to cavity wound packing.

For infected cavity wounds, wounds with unknown depth or extent, or cavity wounds not responding to packing treatment, seek clinical assessment from a tissue viability nurse or wound care specialist alongside product purchase.

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat and sunlight.
• Do not store above 25 degrees C.
• Keep in original sealed sterile packaging until immediately before use.
• Do not use if the packaging seal is broken.
• Check expiry date before use.
• Keep out of reach of children.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered online pharmacy. Sorbsan Packing is a genuine Aspen Medical Europe product stocked through regulated UK supply chains.

Our pharmacists can advise on Sorbsan Packing and on the full Sorbsan range for surface and cavity wound management.

References

1. Aspen Medical Europe. Sorbsan Packing — Product Information. Aspen Medical Europe. https://www.aspenmedicaleurope.com. Accessed June 2026.
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Wound care products: selection and prescribing. https://www.nice.org.uk. Accessed June 2026.
3. NHS. Wound management: cavity wounds and packing. NHS England. https://www.england.nhs.uk. Accessed June 2026.
4. Wounds UK. Best Practice Statement: Wound bed preparation. https://www.wounds-uk.com. Accessed June 2026.