title: An open study comparing topical silver sulfadiazine and topical silver sulfadiazine-cerium nitrate in the treatment of moderate and severe burns.
abstract: Sixty patients with moderate and severe burns were randomly assigned to receive topical silver sulfadiazine (SSD) alone (n=30) or SSD combined with cerium nitrate (SSD-CN) (n=30). There were four deaths in the SSD group and one in the SSD-CN group; more patients with higher risk severity survived in the SSD-CN group. Wound infection did not differ significantly between the groups. The rate of re-epithelialization of partial thickness burns was faster by 8 days in the SSD-CN group. The relatively dry shell-like eschar of the SSD-CN-treated burn allowed planned excisions with immediate autologous grafting and the tissue beneath was ready to accept grafting 11 days earlier than in the SSD group (p=0.03). This resulted in a significantly shorter hospital stay for those in the SSD-CN group than in the SSD group (23.3 vs. 30.7 days; p=0.03) with consequent cost savings. A higher incidence of transient stinging pain was reported with application of SSD-CN, but this was effectively managed with analgesics where necessary. The results of this study confirm the greater efficacy of SSD-CN in the treatment of burns patients.
authors.affiliation: University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial, Medical Center, Manila, Philippines.
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: de Gracia
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002056:Burns / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D002563:Cerium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D012837:Silver Sulfadiazine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; C032786:cerium nitrate; D002563:Cerium; D012837:Silver Sulfadiazine