KYTOCEL RIBBON

A wound cavity, sinus tract, or tunnelling wound extends beyond the surface and requires wound contact material throughout its accessible depth to support the healing environment from the wound floor upward. A flat sheet dressing applied over the opening bridges the space rather than filling it. A narrow ribbon of chitosan gelling fibre can be introduced into the cavity to maintain wound contact at depth, absorb exudate from the wound walls, and gel in place throughout the wound space. KytoCel Ribbon is a chitosan gelling fibre ribbon from Aspen Medical Europe for cavity wound packing. 2.5cm x 45cm. Secondary dressing required. Cavity packing safety rules apply.

KytoCel Ribbon is a Class IIb regulated medical device from Aspen Medical Europe. It is the cavity packing format of the KytoCel range, using the same chitosan gelling fibre material as KytoCel Dressing but formed into a narrow ribbon measuring 2.5cm x 45cm for introduction into wound cavities, sinus tracts, and deep wound pockets.

Chitosan is a naturally derived polysaccharide produced from chitin, a structural material found in crustacean shells. The chitosan fibres in KytoCel Ribbon absorb wound exudate and form a cohesive gel throughout the wound cavity. As with the flat KytoCel Dressing, the ribbon shares the haemostatic and antimicrobial material properties that chitosan as a class possesses. The haemostatic effect is mediated through platelet activation by chitosan. The antimicrobial properties are an intrinsic characteristic of the chitosan polymer, documented in published scientific literature, and are stated here as a material property rather than as a registered product claim.

KytoCel Ribbon is a primary wound contact material. It has no outer layer and no adhesive component. A secondary dressing must always be applied over the wound opening after the ribbon has been packed into the cavity. The secondary dressing holds the ribbon in position, protects the wound from external contamination, and manages exudate that tracks back through the wound opening.

KytoCel Ribbon must always be packed loosely into the wound cavity. Never compress the ribbon tightly into the wound space. Always leave a visible length of ribbon outside the wound opening for retrieval access. Count the ribbon in at each application and count it out at each removal. If the ribbon cannot be retrieved, stop, irrigate with sterile saline, and seek clinical assessment immediately. Apply a secondary dressing over the wound opening after packing. Patients with a known shellfish or crustacean allergy should seek clinical guidance before using KytoCel Ribbon.

Chitosan Gel Formation in the Cavity

As wound exudate from the cavity walls and wound bed contacts the chitosan ribbon, the fibres absorb the fluid and transform from a dry structured ribbon into a soft cohesive gel. This gel fills the wound space, conforms to the cavity dimensions, and maintains a moist wound contact environment throughout the accessible wound depth. The gel holds absorbed exudate within its structure and prevents it from pooling in the cavity.

Wound Contact at Depth

The primary clinical value of the ribbon format over a flat sheet in cavity wounds is wound contact at depth. The flat KytoCel Dressing, applied over a wound opening, cannot reach the wound walls and floor below the surface. The ribbon is introduced into the cavity so that the chitosan gelling fibre is in contact with the full accessible wound length. As the ribbon gels throughout the cavity, the moist wound contact environment extends to the depth the ribbon reaches.

Haemostatic and Antimicrobial Material Properties

KytoCel Ribbon carries the same material properties as the flat KytoCel Dressing. Chitosan activates platelets at the wound surface, supporting local haemostasis. This is relevant in cavity wounds where the wound walls may bleed slightly during changes or where the wound bed is friable. The intrinsic antimicrobial properties of chitosan as a positively charged polymer have been documented in published scientific literature. These are material characteristics rather than specific clinical infection indications for KytoCel Ribbon as a product.

Cohesive Retrieval

The chitosan ribbon maintains its cohesive structure as it gels. At retrieval, the gelled ribbon separates from the cavity walls and wound bed as one continuous piece when retrieved from the accessible end left outside the wound. Irrigating with sterile saline before retrieval softens the gel and supports complete removal without the ribbon fragmenting inside the wound.

Before Application

• Wash hands and use gloves.
• Clean the wound cavity with sterile saline.
• Prepare the secondary dressing before opening the KytoCel Ribbon packaging.
• Assess the cavity dimensions to plan how much ribbon is needed.

Packing the Cavity

• Remove KytoCel Ribbon from its packaging.
• Introduce the ribbon loosely into the wound cavity from the accessible opening.
• Do not compress or pack the ribbon tightly into the cavity.
• Fill the accessible wound depth, leaving a clearly visible length of ribbon outside the wound opening at all times.
• Never introduce the full ribbon length inside the cavity. The retrieval end must always remain accessible.
• Apply the secondary dressing over the wound opening immediately.
• Document the application and confirm the retrieval end is visible and accessible.

Removal

• Irrigate the wound cavity with sterile saline before attempting removal.
• Retrieve the ribbon by the accessible end outside the wound.
• Confirm full retrieval and document.
• If any part of the ribbon cannot be retrieved, stop immediately. Do not attempt further extraction. Irrigate again and seek clinical assessment before any further dressing.

Irrigate before every removal without exception. Even in heavily exuding cavities, sections of ribbon near the wound floor may have dried against the cavity wall during the wear period. Irrigation is not optional and should be thorough throughout the accessible cavity depth before retrieval is attempted.

KytoCel Ribbon 2.5cm x 45cm

KytoCel Ribbon is available in a single size of 2.5cm wide by 45cm long. The 2.5cm width is suited to cavity openings of moderate width where the ribbon can enter and provide wall-to-wall contact without folding or buckling. The 45cm length provides sufficient ribbon to reach the accessible depth of most wound cavities with a clear retrieval length remaining outside the wound opening. If the full 45cm is not needed for a shallower cavity, trim to the appropriate length before insertion, retaining sufficient retrieval length outside the wound.

Cavity Packing Safety Rules

• Pack loosely. Tight packing causes pressure injury in the cavity.
• The retrieval end must always remain outside the wound opening.
• Count in and document. Count out and confirm retrieval at every change.
• Irrigate with saline before every removal.
• If retrieval fails, irrigate further and seek clinical assessment immediately.

Do Not Use KytoCel Ribbon If

• The patient has a known allergy to shellfish or crustaceans. Seek clinical guidance first.
• The cavity is dry. Chitosan gelling fibre requires exudate to activate gel formation.
• Known sensitivity to chitosan or crustacean derived materials.

Adverse Effects

• Allergic reaction in patients with crustacean or shellfish sensitivity.
• Wound trauma if the ribbon is removed without prior saline irrigation.
• Wound desiccation in cavities producing insufficient exudate for gel activation.

Wounds Where KytoCel Ribbon Is Appropriate

• Moderately to heavily exuding cavity wounds, sinus tracts, and tunnelling wounds where wound contact at depth is the clinical requirement and chitosan gelling fibre is the chosen wound contact material
• Cavity wounds where the haemostatic properties of chitosan are also clinically relevant alongside exudate management at depth
• Adults and children under clinical supervision

KytoCel Ribbon vs KytoCel Dressing

Both use the same chitosan gelling fibre material from Aspen Medical Europe with the same gel formation, haemostatic, and antimicrobial material properties. The difference is the format. KytoCel Dressing is a flat sheet for wound surface application in three sizes. KytoCel Ribbon is a narrow continuous ribbon for introduction into wound cavities where a flat sheet cannot maintain contact at depth. Choose the format based on wound geometry. Cavity wounds use the Ribbon. Surface wounds use the Dressing.

KytoCel Ribbon vs Kaltostat Rope

Both are gelling fibre ribbon or rope formats for cavity wound packing. KytoCel Ribbon (Aspen Medical Europe) uses chitosan with platelet-activation haemostasis and intrinsic antimicrobial material properties. Kaltostat Rope (ConvaTec) uses calcium sodium alginate with calcium-mediated haemostasis. Both gel on exudate contact, require secondary dressings, and carry all cavity packing safety rules. Clinical selection is based on the material properties most relevant to the specific wound, local formulary, or clinician preference.

KytoCel Ribbon is a regulated medical device and does not require a prescription. The 2.5cm x 45cm ribbon is available from Pharmacy Planet without a clinical consultation.

Our pharmacists can advise on KytoCel Ribbon and on appropriate secondary dressings for cavity wound management.

Cavity wound management requires clinical supervision. The cavity dimensions, the amount of ribbon needed per change, and the progression of the wound all require regular clinical assessment by a tissue viability nurse, district nurse, or GP. Patients with shellfish or crustacean allergy should seek clinical guidance before use.

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat and sunlight.
• Do not store above 25 degrees C.
• Keep in original sealed packaging until immediately before use.
• Do not use if packaging is damaged.
• Check expiry date before use.
• Apply as soon as the packaging is opened.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Dispose of used dressings as clinical waste.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered online pharmacy. KytoCel Ribbon is a genuine Aspen Medical Europe product stocked through regulated UK supply chains.

Our pharmacists can advise on cavity wound packing products and on secondary dressing selection for cavity wound management.

References

1. Aspen Medical Europe. KytoCel Ribbon — Instructions for Use. Aspen Medical Europe. https://www.aspenmedical.com. Accessed June 2026.
2. Croisier F, Jerome C. Chitosan-based biomaterials for tissue engineering. European Polymer Journal. 2013;49(4):780-792. Referenced June 2026.
3. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Wound care products: selection and prescribing. https://www.nice.org.uk. Accessed June 2026.
4. Wounds UK. Best Practice Statement: Wound exudate — effective assessment and management. https://www.wounds-uk.com. Accessed June 2026.