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This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
An ABD pad is a thick, absorbent dressing pad made to soak up fluid from a heavily draining wound. Manufacturers list it as an absorbent abdominal pad. It is non-adhesive, so it always needs something to hold it in place. Clinic staff, wound-care nurses, supply buyers and students are the usual readers of product information on it.
What an ABD pad is
An ABD pad is a bulky, non-adhesive absorbent pad. HARTMANN USA lists its Sorbalux ABD as an absorbent abdominal pad for use as a primary or secondary dressing on heavily draining acute and chronic wounds. In plain terms, it can sit directly on a wound (primary) or over another dressing to take up extra fluid (secondary).
For the wider family of dressings, see what a wound dressing is.
How an ABD pad is built
The manufacturer’s description of the Sorbalux ABD gives two layers:
- An absorbent cellulose inner layer core, which holds the fluid.
- A soft, nonwoven outer layer, which the manufacturer describes as being there for patient comfort.
The same product page states it is not made with natural rubber latex. That is a statement about this product line; check the packaging of any other pad.
ABD pad sizes
Sizes differ by maker. The table shows the three sizes of one manufacturer’s line, as published on its product page. Other makers list their own sizes, so read the pack label for the pad you hold.
| Size (inches) | Size (cm) | Pack count | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 x 9 | 12.7 x 22.8 | Box of 25 | HARTMANN USA, Sorbalux ABD |
| 7.5 x 8 | 19 x 20 | Box of 20 | HARTMANN USA, Sorbalux ABD |
| 8 x 10 | 20.3 x 25.4 | Box of 16 | HARTMANN USA, Sorbalux ABD |
How the regulation describes a dressing like this
The FDA regulation at 21 CFR 878.4018 describes a hydrophilic wound dressing as a sterile or non-sterile device intended to cover a wound and to absorb exudate. It consists of nonresorbable materials with hydrophilic properties that can absorb exudate, with cotton, cotton derivatives, alginates, dextran and rayon given as examples. The regulation does not name ABD pads. It places dressings of this general description in Class I (general controls) and exempts them from premarket notification, subject to the limitations in 21 CFR 878.9. It excludes dressings with added drugs such as antimicrobials, added biologics, or animal-derived materials.
The practical point: sterile and non-sterile absorbent pads can both exist, so the pack label, not the product name, tells you which one you have. The HARTMANN assortment for this product is headed “Sterile Absorbent Abdominal Pads”.
ABD pad vs gauze and other dressings
An ABD pad is a bulk-absorbency layer. Thinner woven or nonwoven squares are covered in what gauze is, and wraps that hold dressings in place are covered in what a bandage is and what an elastic bandage is. Dressings with a different working principle, such as hydrocolloid dressings, are a separate class.
Safe use and handling basics
- Fixation is required. The manufacturer states the pad is non-adhesive and fixation is required to keep it in place, so it is used with tape, a wrap or another securing method.
- Check the label for sterile or non-sterile status and for the latex statement before use.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use and your facility’s wound-care policy. Choice of dressing for an individual wound is a clinician’s decision.
Common mistakes
- Treating it as self-adhering. It is not; the manufacturer states fixation is required.
- Assuming every absorbent pad is sterile. The regulation covers both sterile and non-sterile dressings.
- Assuming sizes are universal. The table above is one manufacturer’s line only.
FAQ
What is an ABD pad used for?
It is used as a primary or secondary dressing for heavily draining acute and chronic wounds, according to the HARTMANN USA product page.
What sizes do ABD pads come in?
One manufacturer’s line is sold in 5 x 9 in, 7.5 x 8 in and 8 x 10 in. Other makers publish their own sizes.
Is an ABD pad adhesive?
No. The manufacturer describes it as non-adhesive and says fixation is required to keep it in place.
Sources
- HARTMANN USA, Sorbalux ABD product page: https://hartmann.info/en-us/our-products/wound-management/high-,-a-,-super-absorbent-dressings/high-absorbent/sorbalux%C2%AE-abd (checked 2026-10-29).
- 21 CFR 878.4018, Hydrophilic wound dressing: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/878.4018 (checked 2026-10-29).
