Mepilex Foam Dressing 20 x 20 cm Soft Absorbent Silicone Wound Dressing

Product Overview

Mepilex is Mölnlycke's reference soft-silicone foam dressing built on Safetac® technology, the original soft-silicone wound contact layer. Safetac conforms to skin micro-topography and seals the wound margins without adhering to the moist wound bed, minimising peri-wound maceration and the trauma associated with traditional adhesive removal. The 20 x 20 cm size is suited to large pressure-injury sites, sacral and trochanteric ulcers, donor sites and bariatric care where smaller sizes require overlapping.

The polyurethane foam pad provides high vertical absorption with low lateral wicking, retaining exudate within the dressing core to keep the peri-wound skin dry. The outer polyurethane backing film is bacterial- and viral-tight to particles >25 nm, supporting infection-prevention bundles in acute and long-term care. Mepilex is non-bordered and is typically secured with a retention dressing such as Mepitac, Tubifast or Mepore Film.

Specifications

Clinical Indications

• Category II–IV pressure injuries on sacrum, trochanter, heel and ischium where larger surface coverage is required
• Venous leg ulcers and mixed-aetiology lower-limb ulcers under multi-layer compression
• Diabetic foot ulcers (off-loaded) and post-debridement wound beds
• Skin-graft donor sites and partial-thickness burns following initial assessment
• Post-surgical wound dehiscence and large traumatic skin tears (ISTAP Type 2/3)
• Oncology wounds and palliative wound care where atraumatic dressing change is a priority

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does Safetac differ from acrylate adhesives in wound contact layers?
A: Safetac is a soft-silicone gel adhesive that adheres only to dry intact skin, not to the moist wound bed. Independent literature (White, 2008; Dykes 2007) demonstrates reduced peri-wound stripping, lower change-related pain scores and lower epidermal stripping versus traditional acrylate adhesives — relevant in fragile, oedematous and paediatric/geriatric skin.

Q: Can Mepilex 20 x 20 cm be used under compression therapy?
A: Yes. Mepilex is compatible with short-stretch and long-stretch compression bandaging and pneumatic compression devices, supporting the 2019 International Lymphoedema Framework and EWMA/ISTAP guidance on combined exudate-management and compression strategies for venous ulceration.

Q: When should the dressing be changed?
A: Frequency is wound-driven. Per the EWMA position document on dressing wear-time, change when exudate strikethrough reaches the dressing edges, when leakage is observed, or per institutional protocol (typically every 3–7 days). The Safetac layer permits inspection lift-and-replace with minimal trauma when wound assessment is required.

Q: Is the dressing showerable?
A: Yes — the outer polyurethane film is waterproof and provides a viral/bacterial barrier; brief showering is permitted provided the dressing edges remain intact. Submersion is not recommended.

Q: How is the Mepilex range supplied to Singapore healthcare facilities?
A: Essential Medical International Supplies (EMIS) is a Singapore-based B2B medical supply distributor providing Mölnlycke wound-care products to hospitals, polyclinics, community-care providers and home-nursing services across Singapore. HSA-listed product, with bulk and case-pack invoicing available.

References: Mölnlycke Mepilex IFU; CE MDR 2017/745; FDA 510(k) Database; ISO 13485:2016; EWMA Position Document on dressing wear-time; ISTAP Skin Tear Classification 2018.