title: The use of biatain Ag in hard-to-heal venous leg ulcers: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Venous leg ulcers are common, troublesome, and their failure to heal is often related to a heavy bio-burden. Ionized silver has both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. The ulcer healing properties of the silver releasing foam dressing Biatain Ag has been examined in 4 randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate ulcer healing through a meta-analytic approach after treatment with either Biatain Ag or a non-active dressing.
  
  
  METHODS
  685 subjects with pure or mixed hard-to-heal venous leg ulcers were included in the meta-analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Biatain Ag showed a significant treatment effect (p<0.0001), responder rate (p<0.001), and healing rate (p = 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The meta-analysis of the 4 RCTs provided statistical significant evidence to support the use of Biatain Ag dressing in treatment of hard-to-heal venous leg ulcers.
authors.affiliation: Wound Healing Research Unit, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leaper
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Münter
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Meaume
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scalise
authors.forename: Nacho Blanes
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Mompó
authors.forename: Birte Petersen
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Jakobsen
authors.forename: Finn
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gottrup
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001458:Bandages; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000737:chemistry; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018030:Silver Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D011140:Polyurethanes; D018030:Silver Compounds; C028279:polyurethane foam