Wicking vs packing a wound?

[poko, BSN, RN]

Could someone clarify for me if there is a difference between "wicking" and "packing" a wound? If so, what is the difference? I have tried to do some research on this topic but I am unable to find much.

Thank you

[bluebirdflyx]

To me, wicking a wound would be using a super absorbent dressing to "wick" away moisture and handle excessive exudate. Packing a wound is more self explanatory in that you use some sort of material to either pack a tunnel or dead space in the wound. When you pack something you leave a piece of material sticking out the end that leaves the hole open/allows you to pull out the material during dressing changes and we always called this a wick. Maybe that's where the confusion is coming from.