Wound management, in addition to presenting a significant burden to patients and their\nfamilies, also contributes significantly to a country�s healthcare costs. Treatment strategies are\nnumerous, but in most cases not ideal. Hydrogels, three-dimensional polymeric materials that can\nwithstand a great degree of swelling without losing structural integrity, are drawing great attention\nfor their use as topical wound management solutions in the form of films and as vehicles for drug\ndelivery, due to their unique properties of high water content, biocompatibility, and flexibility.\nHydrogels, both naturally and synthetically derived, can be tuned to respond to specific stimuli such\nas pH, temperature and light and they are ideally suited as drug delivery vehicles. Here we provide a\nbrief overview of the history and characteristics of hydrogels, assess their uses in wound management\nand drug delivery, and compare them with other types of common drug delivery vehicle.
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