title: Verification of the effectiveness of silver dressings to prevent reinfection of skin ulcers after debridement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the usefulness of silver dressings in patients with skin ulcers in the healing phase after debridement.
  
  
  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.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Parmeggiani
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Apperti
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Goffredi
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Avenia
authors.forename: Imma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Madonna
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ambrosino
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Peltrini
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Apperti
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fiore
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Parmeggiani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001458:Bandages; D003646:Debridement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D018030:Silver Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery*; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D018030:Silver Compounds