Autolytic debridement of a large, necrotic, fully occluded foot ulcer using a hydrocolloid dressing in a diabetic patient.

Objective: The aim of this article was to review the authors' experience with hydrocolloid dressings in foot ulcers, especially in diabetic patients. Engineered as part of stomal flange, hydrocolloid dressings established their presence in wound care management after successfully protecting peristomal skin. They are occlusive dressings and have been valued for their ability to support autolytic debridement, thus removing necrotic tissue--a barrier to healing--from the wound bed.