SUREPRESS ABSORBANT PAD

Venous leg ulcers can produce significant volumes of wound exudate, particularly in the early stages of compression treatment as oedema reduces and tissue fluid is mobilised. A standard padding layer provides cushioning and pressure distribution under compression bandages but may not provide the exudate absorption capacity needed to keep the wound environment managed between dressing changes. A high absorbency padding layer addresses both functions simultaneously: it protects the limb under compression and absorbs exudate from the wound, keeping it away from the outer bandage layers. Surepress Absorbent Pad is a high absorbency padding layer from ConvaTec for use within compression dressing systems for venous leg ulcers. 10cm x 3m. No prescription required.

Surepress Absorbent Pad is a regulated medical device from ConvaTec. It is a highly absorbent padding layer supplied as a 10cm x 3m roll, used as a component within multilayer compression dressing systems for venous leg ulcer management. The pad is applied after the wound contact dressing and before the compression bandage layers, forming the absorbent and padding layer within the overall dressing system.

Unlike a standard cotton wool or foam padding bandage, Surepress Absorbent Pad is specifically designed to absorb wound exudate passing through the wound contact dressing from the ulcer surface below. Venous leg ulcers can produce moderate to heavy exudate, particularly in the early stages of compression therapy. If this exudate is not managed within the dressing system, it can strike through the outer compression bandage layers, compromising the integrity of the dressing and potentially requiring more frequent dressing changes. The absorbent layer contains the exudate within the dressing system, extending the wear time and reducing the frequency of complete dressing changes.

The padding function of the Surepress Absorbent Pad serves an additional clinical purpose under compression. Compression bandages apply external pressure to the lower limb to counteract venous hypertension. This pressure is applied not uniformly but with higher pressure over areas of smaller radius, particularly bony prominences such as the malleoli at the ankle and the tibial crest along the front of the shin. An adequate padding layer under the compression bandage distributes this pressure more evenly across the limb surface, protecting these bony prominences from excessive localised pressure.

Surepress Absorbent Pad is part of the Surepress compression system from ConvaTec and is designed to be used within a complete multilayer compression dressing system applied by a trained healthcare professional. It is not a standalone dressing and does not itself apply compression.

Surepress Absorbent Pad is a padding and absorbent layer component. It does not apply compression. The compression in a multilayer system is provided by the outer compression bandage layers. The decision to start or continue compression therapy for venous leg ulcers must be made by a clinician following ABPI assessment. The pad itself does not carry the safety requirements of compression bandages.

Exudate Absorption

The absorbent pad is positioned over the wound contact dressing applied to the venous leg ulcer. Wound exudate passing upward through the wound contact dressing is absorbed into the absorbent layer of the pad and held within its structure. The absorbent capacity of the pad contains the exudate produced by the wound during the dressing wear period, preventing it from saturating the outer bandage layers. In highly exuding ulcers, the absorbent pad provides a significantly greater fluid containment capacity than a standard padding bandage, supporting longer dressing wear times between complete changes.

Padding and Pressure Distribution

The padding layer of Surepress Absorbent Pad creates a conformable cushion between the limb surface and the outer compression bandages. Applied in a spiral from foot to below the knee, the padding ensures that the compression bandage layers are working over a smooth, evenly padded surface rather than directly over skin, bone, or the edges of the wound dressing. This reduces the risk of localised high pressure over bony prominences, which is a recognised cause of pressure damage under compression bandaging.

Compatibility with Compression Systems

Surepress Absorbent Pad is designed to work within multilayer compression systems. The roll format (10cm x 3m) allows it to be applied in a consistent spiral technique from the foot to below the knee, in the same manner as a standard padding bandage. The pad provides its absorbent function while conforming to the limb shape and providing a smooth base for the outer compression bandage layers to be applied over.

Position in the Dressing System

• Apply the wound contact dressing to the ulcer surface first.
• Apply Surepress Absorbent Pad over the wound contact dressing as the padding and absorbent layer.
• Apply the compression bandage layer or layers over the Surepress Absorbent Pad.

Application Technique

• Start at the foot and apply the pad in a spiral technique from foot to below the knee.
• Ensure even coverage of the limb without gaps or bunching.
• Overlap the pad turns to ensure consistent padding across the full limb length.
• The pad should sit smoothly under the subsequent compression layers.

When to Change

• The dressing system is changed when the outer bandage or the absorbent pad is saturated, or at the scheduled change interval.
• In the early stages of compression treatment when exudate is high, more frequent changes may be needed.
• Change frequency reduces as compression progresses, oedema resolves, and exudate levels fall.

Surepress Absorbent Pad is applied by a trained district or community nurse as part of a complete compression dressing system. It is not for patient self-application. The complete dressing system, including the compression bandage layers, must be applied by a clinician trained in compression bandaging for venous leg ulcers.

Surepress Absorbent Pad 10cm x 3m

Supplied as a 10cm wide x 3m long roll. The 3m length is sufficient to apply one complete padding layer from foot to below the knee using the standard spiral technique. One roll provides one complete application of the absorbent padding layer. The 10cm width is suited to standard lower leg circumferences.

Important Note on Compression Safety

Surepress Absorbent Pad is a padding and absorbent component. It does not itself apply compression. However, it is used within a compression dressing system. The safety requirements for compression therapy, including ABPI assessment before the first application, apply to the compression bandage components of the system, not to the absorbent pad. Clinical decisions about whether compression is appropriate for a patient must be made by the prescribing clinician or nurse based on a full assessment.

Precautions

• For use by trained healthcare professionals as part of a supervised compression dressing system.
• Not for patient self application.
• The absorbent pad does not replace the assessment and safety requirements of compression bandaging.

Adverse Effects

• If the pad bunches or creates an uneven surface under the compression bandage, it may create localised high pressure points rather than distributing pressure evenly. Ensure even application.
• If exudate is striking through the outer bandage layers, the change interval may need to be reduced or a more absorbent wound contact system considered.

Clinical Situations Where Surepress Absorbent Pad Is Used

• Multilayer compression dressing systems for venous leg ulcers where the wound produces moderate to heavy exudate that requires containment within the dressing system between changes
• Compression dressing applications where a standard padding bandage does not provide adequate exudate management, leading to premature saturation and more frequent dressing changes than clinically necessary
• Any compression dressing system where both adequate padding for bony prominence protection and high absorbency are required in the padding layer

Surepress Absorbent Pad in the Compression System

In a multilayer compression system for venous leg ulcers, each layer has a specific function. The wound contact layer manages the wound surface. The absorbent padding layer, where Surepress Absorbent Pad is applied, absorbs exudate and protects the limb under compression. The compression bandage layer or layers provide the graduated compression that counteracts venous hypertension. The Surepress Absorbent Pad addresses the padding and absorption function within this sequence.

Surepress Absorbent Pad does not require a prescription. The 10cm x 3m roll is available from Pharmacy Planet without a clinical consultation.

Our pharmacists can advise on Surepress Absorbent Pad and on other components of multilayer compression dressing systems for venous leg ulcer management.

The use of Surepress Absorbent Pad within a compression system requires clinical oversight of the overall compression therapy. The prescribing clinician or district nurse manages the complete dressing system.

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat and sunlight.
• Do not store above 25 degrees C.
• Keep in original packaging until use.
• Check expiry date before use.
• Keep out of reach of children.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered online pharmacy. Surepress Absorbent Pad is a genuine ConvaTec product stocked through regulated UK supply chains.

Our pharmacists can advise on Surepress Absorbent Pad and on other components of the Surepress compression system range from ConvaTec.

References

1. ConvaTec. Surepress Absorbent Pad — Product Information. ConvaTec. https://www.convatec.com. Accessed June 2026.
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Chronic wounds: advanced wound dressings and antimicrobial dressings. NICE Evidence Review. https://www.nice.org.uk. Accessed June 2026.
3. NHS. Venous leg ulcer: treatment and compression therapy. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/leg-ulcer. Accessed June 2026.