Verification of the effectiveness of silver dressings to prevent reinfection of skin ulcers after debridement
Domenico Parmeggiani 1, Marco Apperti 1, Luigi Goffredi 1, Nicola Avenia 2, Imma Madonna 1, Pasquale Ambrosino 1, Roberto Peltrini 1, Sarah Apperti 1, Andrea Fiore 1, Umberto Parmeggiani 1
Affiliations
Article Info
1 Department of Anesthesiological, Surgical and Emergency Sciences, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy, Department of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Metabolic Disease, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
2 Department of General Surgery, University of Terni, Perugia, Italy, Department of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Metabolic Disease, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To test the usefulness of silver dressings in patients with skin ulcers in the healing phase after debridement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After randomly selected a group of 30 patients and divided them into three groups (A, B and C) according to the type and severity of the ulcer, we used respectively for each group antiseptics-free dressings, hydrofiber dressings with a low or a high content of silver. Then we performed samples by aspiration from the bottom of the wound three times (zero time, after two weeks, after a month) to prepare bacterial cultures. RESULTS: In group A, 5 ulcers showed signs of critical colonization after two weeks and 2 of these showed evidence of infection without progression to healing after a month. In groups B and C, no ulcer showed signs of infection with negative cultures. In these two groups, wounds evolved towards healing. CONCLUSIONS: Silver dressings seem to be the best option for the prevention of reinfection of skin ulcers; silver concentration should vary according to the degree of ulcer contamination. Dressings with hydrofibers avoid the accumulation of secretions for bacterial growth which would compromise tissue repair
Keywords
- Skin ulcers
- Silver dressings
- Wound infections