Xeroform vs. Adaptic Wound Dressings: Key Differences

Overview:
Both Xeroform and Adaptic are non-adherent primary wound dressings designed to protect wounds and promote healing while minimizing trauma during dressing changes. However, their composition, specific properties, and best-use scenarios differ.

Xeroform Dressing

• Made of fine mesh gauze impregnated with petrolatum and 3% bismuth tribromophenate.
• Maintains a moist wound environment, which is essential for healing.
• Bismuth tribromophenate provides bacteriostatic (antibacterial) and deodorizing properties.
• Commonly used for surgical wounds, burns, skin grafts, and donor sites.
• Especially helpful when infection control and odor management are priorities.
• Not absorbent-best for wounds with minimal exudate.
• Non-adherent, allowing for pain-free dressing changes.

Adaptic Dressing

• Made of a knitted cellulose acetate fabric impregnated with a specially formulated petrolatum emulsion.
• Maintains moisture and allows exudate to pass through to a secondary absorbent dressing.
• Highly flexible and can be cut to size without unraveling.
• Excellent for fragile tissue, including burns, skin grafts, surgical wounds, and chronic ulcers.
• Does not contain bismuth tribromophenate, so it does not have the same deodorizing or antibacterial properties as Xeroform.
• Non-adherent and minimizes trauma and pain during dressing changes.
• Breathable mesh helps prevent maceration of surrounding skin.

Feature	Xeroform	Adaptic
Base Material	Fine mesh gauze	Knitted cellulose acetate mesh
Impregnation	Petrolatum + 3% bismuth tribromophenate	Petrolatum emulsion
Antibacterial/Deodorizing	Yes (bismuth tribromophenate)	No
Moisture Management	Maintains moist environment	Maintains moisture, allows exudate passage
Absorbency	Not absorbent	Not absorbent (requires secondary dressing)
Best Uses	Burns, grafts, donor sites, wounds needing odor/infection control	Burns, grafts, surgical wounds, chronic ulcers
Non-adherent	Yes	Yes
Pain on Removal	Minimal	Minimal

Summary:

• Xeroform is preferred when antibacterial and deodorizing effects are needed, especially for burns, grafts, or wounds at risk of infection.
• Adaptic is ideal for wounds where gentle, non-adherent protection is needed, and where exudate needs to pass through to a secondary dressing.

For both dressings, always select based on wound type, exudate level, and patient sensitivity.

References:

1. https://www.aast.org/Assets/d2cab9c9-875e-45e8-90e2-0208d41a94d7/636095340136130000/guide-to-burn-dressings-pdf   
2. https://www.thewoundpros.com/post/curad-xeroform-occlusive-petrolatum-gauze-dressing-strip-uses-for-burns       
3. https://www.thewoundpros.com/post/the-science-behind-adaptic-dressings-what-you-need-to-know
4. https://www.usamedicalsurgical.com/adaptic-non-adhering-wound-dressing/
5. https://mycaresupplies.com/impregnated-dressing-albahealth-xeroform-5-x-9-inch-gauze-212-213-215-216
6. https://www.amazon.com/Adaptic-Non-Adhering-Dressing-2018-3×60/dp/B003XCLG82