Silver-impregnated Foam Research Articles

Silver-impregnated foam dressings over circumferentially involved curved surfaces in epidermolysis bullosa hand surgery

Silver-impregnated foam dressings over circumferentially involved curved surfaces in epidermolysis bullosa hand surgery

Abstract 63: Mepilex Ag versus Xeroform as Dressings for Split-Thickness Skin Graft Donor Sites

PURPOSE: Split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) is one of the most common procedures in reconstructive and burn surgery; the optimal management of the donor site remains a source of debate and inconsistency in the care of these patients. The optimal donor site dressing is one that minimizes pain and the risk of infection. In this study, we aim to compare postoperative pain and the rate of donor site infection between bismuth tribromophenate gauze (Xeroform) dressings and silver-impregnated foam dressings (Mepilex Ag, Mölylnke, Gothenburg, Sweden) for STSG donor sites in burn patients. METHODS: We performed retrospective chart review of 212 patients with burn injuries treated in our burn unit in 2017. Patients who underwent debridement and autografting with STSG were classified by donor site dressing type (either Xeroform or Mepilex Ag). Infections were documented by clinical assessment and managed appropriately when noted. Maximum pain scores on postoperative days 1, 3, and 5 were recorded, using a patient-reported 10-point scale (pain scores for children under age 7 were recorded using FLACC scores). Univariate statistics were used to compare groups, and Barnard’s unconditional test was performed to compare the incidence of donor site infection between the groups. RESULTS: There were eighty-six cases of autografting with STSG. Of these, 37 had donor sites dressed with Mepilex Ag (43%), while 49 had donor sites dressed with Xeroform (57%). No infections were observed in donor sites dressed with Mepilex Ag (0%); five patients with Xeroform on their donor sites developed donor site infection (10%, p=0.03). There were no significant differences in maximum pain scores between Mepilex Ag and Xeroform groups on postoperative days 1, 3, and 5 (7.00 vs. 6.76, p=0.69; 6.30 vs. 6.15, p=0.81; and 5.71 vs. 5.81, p=0.89). Patients in the Mepilex Ag and Xeroform groups were similar in age, gender and length of stay (LOS). The Mepilex Ag group had somewhat lower percent total body surface area (TBSA) burned (6.8% vs. 10.4%, p=0.03). There were no significant differences in age, gender, LOS, percent TBSA, or pain scores in those who had infections and those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: Donor sites dressed with Mepilex Ag have a lower rate of donor site infection relative to those dressed with Xeroform in burn patients undergoing autografting with split-thickness skin grafts, though maximum pain scores on postoperative days 1, 3, and 5 remain similar.

Comparison of a standardized negative pressure wound therapy protocol after midline celiotomy to primary skin closure and traditional open wound vacuum-assisted closure management

abstractA negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) protocol using Hydrofera Blue® bacteriostatic foam wicks and silver-impregnated foam overlay to close midline skin incisions after emergency celiotomy was compared to primary skin closure only and traditional open wound vacuum-assisted closure management as part of a quality improvement initiative. This single-institution retrospective cohort study assessed all consecutive emergency celiotomies from July 2013 to June 2014 excluding clean wounds. Included variables were demographics, wound classification, NPWT days, and surgical site occurrences (SSOs). Primary outcome was days of NPWT. Secondary outcomes included SSOs (surgical site infections, fascial dehiscence, return to operating room). Analysis used exact chi-square between categorical variables, Kruskal-Wallis for analysis of variance for ordinal and categorical variables, and Wilcoxon rank sum for total days of NPWT. One hundred fifty-eight patients underwent emergency celiotomy with primary skin closure (n = 51), open NPWT (n = 63), or the NPWT protocol (n = 44). There was no difference in American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status score, body mass index, wound classification, or SSO between the three groups. Total NPWT days were reduced in protocol versus open NPWT (median 3 vs 20.5 days, range 3–51 vs 3–405 days, P = 0.001). Primary skin closure and NPWT protocol had fewer patients discharged with NPWT than open NWPT (0% and 14% vs 63.5%, P < 0.0001, odds ratio = 10.7, 95% confidence interval 3.7–35.1). Primary skin closure and NPWT protocol decrease NPWT usage days and maintain low SSOs in emergency midline celiotomy incisions.

Hydroconductive and silver-impregnated foam dressings: a comparison

As the number of commercially available wound dressings is increasing rapidly, it is important for clinicians to understand the strengths and limitations of each and to recognise relationships between wound type and dressing properties to obtain optimal healing results. Our aim is to test the antimicrobial activity of two dressings. A hydroconductive (HC) dressing and a silver-impregnated foam (SIF) dressing were compared for their potential to reduce the levels meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). We also assessed MRSA-derived biologically active components in liquid or agar matrices, simplified models for heavily exuding or dry wounds respectively, and in an in vivo animal model with MRSA infected wounds. In the agar model (dry wounds) both dressings showed a strong reduction in MRSA activities within 24 hours post-application. The antibacterial effects of the SIF dressing were more pronounced in the liquid model, however, at an increasing cytotoxic cost. In agreement with these in vitro results, assessment of dressings using an MRSA-infected wound in an rat model showed a decrease in MRSA which was significant 7 days post-burn and inoculation, with more compromised viability of MRSA. Dressings showed a similar capability to reduced and eliminate toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST-1) at day 7 post-burn in the animal model but not at day 4, where the SIF dressing was more potent Conclusion: These results confirm the advantages of using silver in reducing bacterial load in wound treatment, except for conditions of highly exuding wounds where the cytotoxic properties of silver may offset these advantages and HC dressing use is more suitable.

Optimal wound care management in hidradenitis suppurativa

Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) presents the problem of a chronic, relapsing, painful, draining wound. There is a myriad of HS wound care management strategies implemented by clinicians and patients centered around which dressings to use. Many factors affect which HS wound care dressing is the most appropriate to use such as the type of HS wound, cost, ease of application, patient comfort, absorbency and odor management among many others.Aim: In this work, the authors aim to prepare a set of guidelines for optimal HS wound care dressing use based on a tier system, ideal characteristics of HS dressings and the type of HS lesion. The dressing recommendations focus on cost-effectiveness for patients, ease of accessibility and ultimately, improvement in the quality of life of patients suffering from HS.Methods: PubMed was utilized to search the terms ‘wound care + HS’; ‘non-surgical wound care + HS’; ‘optimal wound care + HS’; ‘HS wounds’; and ‘optimal wound dressings’.Results: Silver-impregnated foam is considered the most optimal HS wound care dressing because it contains nearly all characteristics of an ideal wound care dressing.Conclusion: However, silver-impreganted foam is expensive and difficult to access for patients, so lower-tier HS wound care dressings must be considered prior to utilizing this tier 4 dressing.

Silver-containing foam dressings with Safetac: a review of the scientific and clinical data.

Background Topical antimicrobials, such as silver dressings, are progressively being used alongside systemic antibiotics to provide adjunctive, antimicrobial therapy to wounds that are clinically infected or at risk of infection. To help improve wound management, dressings that use Safetac soft silicone technology in combination with a silver-impregnated foam dressing material were developed by Mölnlycke Health Care (Gothenburg, Sweden). The range comprises Mepilex Ag, Mepilex Border Ag and Mepilex Transfer Ag. Aims A literature review was undertaken to identify and summarise clinical data from the entire evidence hierarchy, as well as data from in vitro tests, which support the use of silver-containing foam dressings with Safetac. Method The MEDLINE (National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, US) and EMBASE (Elsevier BV, Amsterdam, Netherlands) bibliographic databases were searched. In addition, abstract books and proceedings documents relating to national and international conferences were scanned in order to identify presentations (oral, e-poster and poster) of relevance to the review. Results In vitro test results showed that the silver-containing foam dressings with Safetac have both rapid and sustained activity against a range of wound pathogens, reducing planktonic and established biofilm cultures, and preventing biofilm formation. In numerous clinical studies, silvercontaining foam dressings with Safetac were used to manage wound bioburden effectively and resolve signs of localised infection in both acute wounds (such as surgical, traumatic and burn injuries) and chronic wounds (such as leg ulcers, pressure ulcers (PUs), diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), and cancerous wounds). Studies reported that silver-containing foam dressings with Safetac are easy to use, provide an optimal environment for wound healing, and are associated with atraumatic and virtually painfree removal. As well as being clinically effective, they are reported to be cost-effective when used on wounds that require topical antimicrobial therapy. Conclusion The findings of both scientific and clinical studies clearly indicate that clinical, patient-related and economic benefits are associated with the use of Mepilex Ag, Mepilex Border Ag and Mepilex Transfer Ag with Safetac in the treatment of wounds where antimicrobial activity is needed to help manage bioburden.

Decrease in Driveline Infections with Change in Driveline Management Protocol

Background&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Driveline infections (DLI) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in ventricular assist device (VAD) recipients. We compared driveline infection (DLI) rate after an institutional change in driveline management protocol. &#x0D; &#x0D; Methods&#x0D; &#x0D; We retrospectively reviewed records of left VAD recipients at our institution, based on driveline management. Group 1: daily driveline dressing change consisting of chlorhexidine cleansing, sterile 4x4 gauze, and use of an abdominal binder. Group 2: Dressing change every 3 days consisting of chlorhexidine cleansing, non-sterile silver-impregnated foam with overlying clear dressing, and use of a driveline anchor. Follow-up was censored at first DLI, device removal, transplant or death. Additionally, Group 1 patients’ follow-up was censored when the change in protocol occurred. Statistical analysis: Student’s t-test, Fisher’s exact test, Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank test.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Results&#x0D; DLI occurred in 16% of 88 VAD recipients (Group 1 n=24, Group 2 n=64). The new driveline management protocol resulted in significantly fewer DLI in Group 2 (6.3% vs. 41.7%, p&lt;0.0001).&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusions&#x0D; An updated driveline management protocol demonstrated significant reduction in DLI at our institution. Studies evaluating the optimal approach for driveline management are needed in order to develop a standardized regimen aimed at lowering the risk of DLI.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Clinical evaluation of a silver-impregnated foam dressing in paediatric partial-thickness burns.

Mepilex Ag, a silver-impregnated foam dressing, was introduced to our institution in 2007 and our outcomes in the treatment of paediatric burns were observed to improve significantly. In order to confirm these observations, we wanted to evaluate the results of using the silver-impregnated foam dressing in partial-thickness paediatric burns. In this retrospective study, the St. Christopher's Hospital burn registry was used to identify subjects, who were otherwise in excellent health at baseline, over an18-month period. Outcomes included length of stay, intravenous narcotic use, and time to healing. No direct comparative studies were performed. This was followed by a non-comparative prospective study involving 22 paediatric patients, aged 1-4 years, with partial-thickness burns. This was a sub-study of a larger randomised controlled trial involving adults with partial-thickness burns, comparing the silver-impregnated foam dressing with Silvadene. In the retrospective part of the study, the silver-impregnated foam dressing was used successfully for the treatment of partial-thickness paediatric burns, with few complications and infections, allowing a shorter hospital stay, fewer dressings, and less pain medication than for historical controls. In the non-comparative prospective study, of 22 paediatric patients 50% healed completely within 1 week of treatment. The mean length of stay was 3.77 days and the mean number of dressings used was 1.64. Although narcotic usage was not assessed, patient surveys showed stinging or burning to be recorded as 'never' in 13 patients, 'rarely' in 8 patients, and 'sometimes' in 1 patient. The silver-impregnated foam dressing is effective and safe for use in partial-thickness paediatric burns, eliminating the need for daily dressings. The study was supported by an educational grant from Mölnlycke Health Care.

The increased killing of biofilms in vitro by combining topical silver dressings with topical negative pressure in chronic wounds

Chronic wounds remain a significant medical and financial burden in hospitals of today. A major factor in the transition from an acute to a chronic wound is its bacterial bioburden. Developments in molecular techniques have shown that chronic wounds remain colonised by many species of bacteria and that the bacteria within these chronic wounds exist in two forms. Treatments of chronic wounds have maintained a challenging field and significant ongoing research is being conducted. With the development of an in vitro wound model, we applied topical negative pressure (TNP) dressings to a spectrum of common bacterial biofilms found in chronic wounds and studied the synergistic efficacy between the application of TNP and silver-impregnated foam against these biofilms. This synergistic response was seen within the laboratory strains of staphylococcal biofilms over a 3-day treatment period but lost following the 5 days of treatment. However, combining topical pressure dressings and silver foam lead to a synergistic inactivation in Pseudomonas species over both 3-day and 5-day treatments.

Cost-Effectiveness Comparison Between Topical Silver Sulfadiazine and Enclosed Silver Dressing for Partial-Thickness Burn Treatment

The standard treatment of partial-thickness burns includes topical silver products such as silver sulfadiazine (SSD) cream and enclosed dressings including silver-impregnated foam (Mepilex Ag; Molnlycke Health Care, Gothenburg, Sweden) and silver-laden sheets (Aquacel Ag; ConvaTec, Skillman, NJ). The current state of health care is limited by resources, with an emphasis on evidence-based outcomes and cost-effective treatments. This study includes a decision analysis with an incremental cost-utility ratio comparing enclosed silver dressings with SSD in partial-thickness burn patients with TBSA less than 20%. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify clinically relevant health states in partial-thickness burn patients. These health states include successful healing, infection, and noninfected delayed healing requiring either surgery or conservative management. The probabilities of these health states were combined with Medicare CPT reimbursement codes (cost) and patient-derived utilities to fit into the decision model. Utilities were obtained using a visual analog scale during patient interviews. Expected cost and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were calculated using the roll-back method. The incremental cost-utility ratio for enclosed silver dressing relative to SSD was $40,167.99/QALY. One-way sensitivity analysis of complication rates confirmed robustness of the model. Assuming a maximum willingness to pay $50,000/QALY, the complication rate for SSD must be 22% or higher for enclosed silver dressing to be cost effective. By varying complication rates for SSD and enclosed silver dressings, the two-way sensitivity analysis demonstrated the cost effectiveness of using enclosed silver dressing at the majority of complication rates for both treatment modalities. Enclosed silver dressings are a cost-effective means of treating partial thickness burns.

Prevention of pressure ulcers after pediatric tracheotomy using a Mepilex Ag dressing

Skin irritation and ulceration beneath the tracheostomy tube or ties secondary to pressure and shearing forces on the skin frequently complicate pediatric tracheotomy in the immediate postoperative period. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of Mepilex Ag dressings in reducing posttracheotomy wound complications. Retrospective study. We identified 134 pediatric tracheotomies performed between June 2005 and June 2011 at a tertiary care academic pediatric hospital. Peristomal skin breakdown was documented at the time of the first tracheostomy tube change. Starting in February 2010, the application of Mepilex Ag, a silver-impregnated foam dressing, underneath the tracheostomy tube and twill ties became standard practice. The rates of wound breakdown before and after the introduction of Mepilex Ag were compared. Age, indication for tracheotomy, comorbidities, and severity of wound breakdown were also compared. Patients undergoing tracheotomies prior to February 2010 had no dressing applied under the tracheotomy at the end of the procedure (n = 93). Beginning in February 2010, Mepilex Ag barrier was applied beneath the tracheostomy and ties in all subjects undergoing tracheotomy (n = 41). In the cohort without Mepilex Ag, 11.8% developed skin breakdown by the time of first tracheostomy tube change. When Mepilex Ag was used to pad the tracheotomy site, no peristomal skin breakdown occurred (P = 0.02). No comorbidities were associated with postoperative ulcer formation in either cohort. The use of Mepilex Ag after pediatric tracheotomy reduces the occurrence of postoperative peristomal pressure ulcers.

Effective use of negative pressure wound therapy provides quick wound‐bed preparation and complete graft take in the management of chronic venous ulcers

Venous ulcers are characterised by longstanding and recurrent loss of skin integrity. Once occurred, healing is slow and recurrence is high because of inappropriate conditions of the wound bed. This study involves 20 patients with chronic venous ulcers at least 6 weeks of duration treated with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). Patients underwent a radical debridement of all devitalised tissues in the first operation. After adequate haemostasis, silver-impregnated polyurethane foam was applied. Once the wounds were determined to be clean and adequate granulation tissue formation was achieved, split-thickness skin grafts were applied. Black polyurethane foam was applied over them. All wounds completely healed without the need for further debridement or regrafting. The mean number of silver-impregnated foam dressing changes prior to grafting was 2·9 (one to eight changes). The mean number of NPWT foam changes was 2·6 after skin grafting (two to five changes). Two patients who did not use conservative treatments for chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) after discharge from the hospital had recurrence of venous ulcers in the follow-up period. Application of NPWT provides quick wound-bed preparation and complete graft take in venous ulcer treatment.