An Algorithm for Use of Acticoat Dressing in Acute Burns and Exfoliative Diseases

Abstract

Acticoat (Smith and Nephew) is a three-layer dressing, consisting of an inner rayon/polyester absorptive core between two layers of silver-coated, high-density polyethylene mesh. Silver is released as a nanocrystalline form when it is in a moist environment. It has a rapid and sustained bactericidal activity. Between May 2005 and March 2006, 26 patients were included in this study: 18 were patients with acute burn injuries, 8 were patients with exfoliative disease, such as Steven-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic epidermal necrolysis. The involved areas had a mean of 33.8% total body surface area. The areas which covered with Acticoat had a mean of 19.4% total body surface area. The mean duration of treatment was 10.1 days. The mean healing percentage of the wounds was 91% of the total treatment areas. The dressings in two cases needed to be replaced partially during treatment due to partial dislodgement. Only one patient had positive wound culture after the treatment. In this study, Acticoat demonstrated sustained bactericidal properties, long application time, and reducing trauma with pain during application. We also proposed an algorithm for using Acticoat dressings in acute burns and exfoliative diseases.