Irradiation of polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl pyrrolidone blended hydrogel for wound dressing

Polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVA-PVP) blended hydrogel for wound dressing has been prepared by using gamma rays irradiation technique. The gel fraction, mechanical properties, the water content and water absorption performance of the hydrogels. were measured. It was found that the gel fraction increases with increasing irradiation dose but never reaches 100% of gel. The PVA/PVP blended hydrogel has a water content in the range between 60% and 80% and water absorption between 40% and 250%. The water vapor transmission rate value (WVTR) of the PVA/PVP blended hydrogel varies between 50 and 200 g/m(2)/h. The hydrogel could be considered as good barrier against microbes. According to in vitro assessment it was found that the PVA/PVP Wended hydrogel was very useful material that can meet the efficacy requirement and its healing rate was comparable with sterilized gauze and sofratulle. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.