Silver dressing use in chronic wounds: Let clinical judgment be the guide

Abstract

Recent literature has suggested that silver dressings may be ineffective in treating infected or critically colonized wounds. This article discusses the development of chronic wound infection and appropriate clinical management. The role of exudate and how wound infection can impact on exudate production is discussed, together with the impact on patients' quality of life. The history and development of silver as a treatment for wound infection is described, as well as its mode of action. The current evidence base on the efficacy of silver is briefly discussed, together with implications for clinical practice. In the absence of irrefutable evidence that silver is ineffective in the treatment of infected chronic wounds, clinicians are encouraged to use their clinical judgment when selecting products to manage wound infection. Atrauman® Ag is introduced as an effective, versatile and competitively priced dressing for use in the treatment of infected or critically colonized wounds, and its effective use is illustrated with case studies.