In uncontrolled hemorrhage, the main cause of death on the battlefield and in accidents, half of the deaths are caused by severe blood loss. Polymeric biomaterials have great potential in the control of severe hemorrhage from trauma, which is the second leading cause of death in the civilian community following central nervous system injuries. The intent of this article is to provide a review on currently available biopolymers used as wound dressing agents and to describe their best use as it relates to the condition and type of the wound (acute, chronic, superficial, and full thickness) and the phases of the wound healing process. These biopolymers are beneficial in tissue engineering as scaffolds, hydrogels, and films. Different types of wound dressings based on biopolymers are available in the market, with various physical, chemical, and biological properties. The use of biopolymers as a hemostatic agent depends on its biocompatibility, biodegradability, nonimmunogenicity, and optimal mechanical property. This review summarizes different biopolymers, their physiological characters, and their use as wound healing agents along with biomedical applications.
Keywords: polymer; wound dressing; wound healing.
© The Author(s) 2014.