*Review* **State of the Art of Hydrogel Wound Dressings Developed by Ionizing Radiation**

**Maria Demeter , Anca Scăris, oreanu \* and Ion Călina \***

National Institute for Lasers Plasma and Radiation Physics, 409 Atomis,tilor, 077125 Măgurele, Romania

**\*** Correspondence: anca.scarisoreanu@inflpr.ro (A.S.); calina.cosmin@inflpr.ro (I.C.)

**Abstract:** The development of an ideal hydrogel wound dressing with excellent characteristics is currently a significant demand in wound therapy. The ideal hydrogel wound dressing must provide a moist environment between the wound and the dressing, promote wound healing, absorb excess exudate and toxins, be completely sterile, and not adhere to the wound. The evolution and current status of research on hydrogel wound dressings obtained exclusively through production by ionizing radiation are discussed in this paper review, along with the preparation methods, properties, standard characterization techniques, and their applications in wound dressing. First, we described the methods for synthesizing hydrogel wound dressings with ionizing radiation. Then, standard methods of characterization of hydrogel wound dressings such as gel fraction, swelling degree, sol–gel analysis, rheological properties, morphology, moisture retention capability, and water vapor transmission rate have been investigated. In the end, specific attention was paid to the drug release, antibacterial performance, and cytotoxicity of hydrogels. Moreover, the application of hydrogel in regenerative medicine as wound healing dressing was covered.

**Keywords:** hydrogel; ionizing radiation; wound dressings; crosslinking; healing
