Respond to the rise of surgical site infections and AMR with Leukomed® Sorbact®
SSIs are a growing concern and a preventable one
Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most common healthcare-associated infections, accounting for up to 20% of hospital-acquired infections globally.1 They contribute to increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs. Despite being largely preventable, SSIs continue to pose a significant challenge in both high and low resource settings.
At the same time, the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) complicates infection management. Traditional antimicrobial dressings often rely on chemical agents that may contribute to resistance over time. In this context, healthcare professionals need solutions that are both effective and aligned with antimicrobial stewardship.
Leukomed Sorbact offers a unique approach: a physical mode of action dressing designed to help prevent SSIs without promoting resistance.
A physical mode of action for safer surgical wound care
Leukomed Sorbact is specifically designed for post-operative and acute wounds, including surgical incisions. Its core technology (DACC technology), Sorbact® Technology, uses a physical mechanism to bind and remove bacteria and fungi from the wound surface.
Here’s how it works:
- The dressing is coated with a hydrophobic fatty ester acid which attracts bacteria
- Bacteria naturally bind and anchor to the unique Sorbact surface and growth is inhibited²
- With each dressing change, bound bacteria, fungi and endotoxins are safely removed
This non-chemical approach helps reduce microbial load without releasing active substances into the wound environment. Development of bacterial or fungal resistance is not expected, making it a safe, proactive strategy for infection prevention in post-surgical wound care.
Clinically proven to reduce SSI risk with Sorbact Technology
Clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Leukomed Sorbact in lowering SSI rates across various surgical procedures, including caesarean sections and vascular surgeries. In one study, caesarean patients experienced a 65% relative reduction in SSI risk³, alongside a 57% decrease in treatment costs⁴.
Similarly, vascular surgery patients saw up to 47% reduction in SSI rates⁵, and study results from the Leeds Vascular Institute saw a 3-fold reduction in the risk of groin wound SSI12, further supporting the role of this dressing in improving outcomes and lowering healthcare burdens.
Link to evidence PDFs:
Caesarean Sections Clinical Evidence
Why Leukomed Sorbact is a smart choice for SSI prevention
Leukomed® Sorbact® is more than just a dressing, it’s a tool for responsible post-surgical wound care. Its benefits include:
- Targeted for surgical wounds: Designed for use on closed surgical incisions and other acute wounds that are at higher risk of infection
- Bacteria and fungi-binding: The unique DACC™-coated surface of Sorbact irreversibly binds bacteria by a physical mode of action and they are safely removed ²𝄒⁶
- Supports Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS): Bacterial and fungal resistance is not expected to develop
- Simple and reliable: Easy to apply, with a clear mechanism of action that supports clinical decision-making
Take action: Prevent SSIs without promoting antimicrobial resistance
Every surgical dressing decision is an opportunity to improve patient and clinical outcomes. By choosing Leukomed Sorbact for post-surgical wound care, healthcare professionals can take a proactive step in reducing SSI risk while aligning with antimicrobial stewardship principles.
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis highlighted the effectiveness of DACC-coated wound dressings in reducing the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) within 30 days following a procedure. The findings indicate that these dressings can nearly halve the incidence of SSIs during this period.7
References
- World Health Organization. Global Guidelines for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection. WHO, 2016.
- Husmark J, et al. Antimicrobial effects of bacterial binding to a dialkylcarbamoyl chloride-coated wound dressing: an in vitro study. J Wound Care. 2022 Jul 2;31(7):560-570.
- Stanirowski PJ, et al. Randomized controlled trial evaluating dialkylcarbomyl chloride impregnated dressings for the prevention of surgical site infections in adult women undergoing caesarean section. Surg Infect (Larchmt), 17(4): 427-35, 2016.]
- Stanirowski PJ, et al.: Cost-effectiveness of a bacterial-binding dressing to prevent surgical site infection following caesarean section. J Wound Care. 2019 Apr 2;28(4):222-228.
- Bua N, et al. Dialkylcarbamoyl Chloride Dressings in the Prevention of Surgical Site Infections after Nonimplant Vascular Surgery. Ann Vasc Surg. 2017 Oct;44:387-392.
- Ljungh, et al. Using the principle of hydrophobic interaction to bind and remove wound bacteria, J Wound Care 2006; 15(4):175-180
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Rippon MG, Rogers AA, Ousey K, Stephenson J (2025). Use of DACC-coated wound dressings in the reduction of surgical site infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Global Wound Care Journal 1(1): 24-30.