title: Utilization of silver hydrogel sheet dressing on postsurgical incisions: a pilot study in foot and ankle surgery.
abstract: Silver hydrogel dressings are antimicrobial, nonadherent, and have an absorptive capacity many times their weight. Fifty-nine (49.44 ± 16.85 years) foot and ankle patients with incisions >1 cm were prospectively enrolled to compare infection, scarring, and complication rates between the postoperative use of a silver hydrogel sheet (SHS) dressing and a standard petroleum-based (P) dressing. Overall, there were 5 (8.47%) infections; 4 (6.78%) superficial and 1 (1.69%) deep. The SHS group had 1 (3.45%) superficial infection, whereas the P group had 3 (10.00%) superficial infections and 1 (3.33%) deep infection. Infection incidence was similar for both groups (P = .37). However, in the P group, 3 (10.00%) patients developed wound dehiscence and 1 (1.69%) patient developed a fibrinous scab. Compared with SHS patients, the P patients had a greater incidence of incisional complications (1 [3.45%] vs 8 [26.67%], respectively; P = .03). The percent change in scar length was greater in the SHS group (18.04 ± 41.10%) when compared with the P group (2.00 ± 9.93%; P < .001) while the percent change in scar width was similar in the 2 groups (P = .19). The lower incidence of incisional complications and the greater reduction in scar length suggest that the inherent properties of the silver hydrogel dressing aid in postsurgical healing.
authors.affiliation: Coordinated Health, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Melissa M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.forename: Nicole M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Protzman
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Brigido
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000842:Ankle / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000517:prevention & control; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005528:Foot / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D010577:Petrolatum / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018030:Silver Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels; D018030:Silver Compounds; D010577:Petrolatum
keywords: dressings; incision healing; petroleum; silver hydrogel; surgical site infection