The Effectiveness of Home Treatment with Nanocrystalline Silver Product (Acticoat(TM)) on the Chronic Ulcerative Lesion of Foot / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of self-home dressing with nanocrystalline silver dressing method on the treatment of chronic ulcer wounds of the foot. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred-nine patients with chronic foot ulcer due to various causes were treated with nanocrystalline silver dressing material. Dressing was done by themselves in their home. Dressing changes were performed every 2 to 3 days until complete reepithelization. RESULTS: One hundred two cases of all cases had a complete reepithelization. It took 49 days to have a complete reepithelization on average. Seven cases failed to complete reepithelization because of infection. There was no silver intoxication in any cases. CONCLUSION: Using nanocrystalline silver is a useful dressing method for various superficial chronic ulcer and it can be done by themselves at their home. Thus it is considered to be more comfortable to both patients and doctors.

Treatment for Hydrofluoric Acid Chemical Burn Using Acticoat(R)

PURPOSE: Hydrofluoric acid(HF) is one of the most dangerous mineral acids with the dissociated fluoride ions. The initial corrosive burn is caused by free hydrogen ion, and the second and more severe burn is caused by penetration of fluoride ions into subcutaneous tissues. Silver is a cation producing dressing, an effective antimicrobial agent, but older silver-containing formulations are rapidly inactivated by wound environment, requiring frequent replenishment. But, Acticoat(R) is a relatively new form of silver dressing which helps avoid the problems of earlier agents. The aim of this study is to evaluate effects of Acticoat(R), silver-containing dressing on the treatment for HF injury wound. METHODS: From september 2006 to september 2007, the study was carried out with 10 patients who had HF partial thickness burns. Acticoat(R) dressing and 10% calcium gluconate wet gauze dressings in 10 cases. As a principle, in the emergency treatment, partial or complete removal of the nail and early bullectomy along with copious washing with normal saline was done, depending on the degree of HF invasion of the wound. Wound was dressed with Acticoat(R) and 10% calcium gluconate solution. The effect of dressing was investgated by serial bacterial culture and wound exudates assessment. RESULTS: We therefore reviewed 10 cases of HF- induced chemical burns and treatment principle. The 10 cases who came to the hospital nearly immediately after the injury healed completely without sequelae. CONCLUSION: As the industrial sector develops, the use of HF is increasing more and more, leading to increased incidences of HF-induced chemical burns. The education of patients regarding this subject should be empathized accordingly. In conclusion, Acticoat(R) dressing is a better choice for HF partial thickness burn injuries because of shorter healing time, less pain and more comfortable dressing.

The Effectiveness of a Dressing Method using Nanocrystalline Silver for Chronic Wounds / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: The successful management of chronic wounds requires adequate dressing materials and methods. Nanocrystalline silver is a recently developed form of silver antimicrobial barrier dressing material which has rapid and sustained anti-bacterial activity, reduces inflammation and promotes wound healing. OBJECTIVE: This study was done to evaluate the effect of nanocrystalline silver dressing method on the treatment of chronic wounds. METHODS: Twenty three patients with chronic wounds of various etiologies were treated with nanocrytalline silver mesh dressing material (Acticoat(TM)) using an occlusive method. Dressing changes were performed every 2 to 3 days until reepithelization. RESULTS: The treatment with nanocrystalline silver was effective in 21 of 23 cases. This dressing method can significantly reduce the frequency of dressing changes, and thus it was more comfortable to both patients and doctors. CONCLUSION: Occlusive method using nanocrystalline silver is a useful dressing method for various chronic wounds, particularly in an outpatient setting.

Effectiveness of Nanocrystalline Silver(Acticoat(R) Dressing at Wound Infected by Multidrug Resistant Bacteria

PURPOSE: The emergency of multi-drug resistant stains of bacteria represents a challenge in the field of plastic surgery. Especially, MRSA(methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa have strong pathogenicity as well as multi-drug resistance so that they have become a lot more problematic strains. This study has been planned to reduce the bacterial burden by applying Acticoat(R)(Smith & Nephew Healthcare, Hull, England)?dressing into the chronic wounds infected by multi-drug resistant strains and to facilitate their healing. METHODS: Nanocrystalline silver dressings(Acticoat(R)) were applied to chronic wound infected by MRSA or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Multi-drug resistant bacteria were smeared over a slide glass using sterilized cotton swabs and gram stains were performed directly before and after applying Acticoat(R) dressings at 1, 24, 48 and 72 hours. The gram-stained slides were observed using an optical microscope magnified 1000 times(x1000). The bacterial counts of the control group(0 hour) were compared to those of the experimental groups(1, 24, 48, and 72 hour). Paired T-test was used to assess a statistical significance. MRSA was cultured in two BAPs(blood agar plate) and two MacConkey plates with streak plate method. None were interventions on one culture plate, while on the other culture plate, Acticoat(R) was placed in a square shape and cultured for 72 hours at 37 degrees C, then plates were examined. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was cultured in the same manner as MRSA. RESULTS: There are the large amount of declination of bacterial counts with statistical significance after Acticoat(R) dressing. The bacteria grew in culture plate without specific intervention, but no bacteria grew in culture plate with applying of Acticoat(R) dressing. CONCLUSION: We believe that Acticoat(R) dressing could be used as an effective method of treating chronic wounds which are infected by multi-drug resistant organisms.

Antimicrobial Effects of Nano-Silver Gauze against Common Bacterial Isolates / 병원감염관리

BACKGROUND: Silver has been used for disinfection and sterilization. We aimed to confirm the in-vitro antibacterial effects of nanocrystalline silver-coated gauze. METHODS: Fourteen clinical isolates each of Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumannii were used. Bacterial suspensions made in tryptic soy broth were exposed to Ordinary and silver-coated gauze. Bacteria were then harvested from the gauze immediately and after 24 h incubation, cultured on blood agar plates and eunmerated for viable counts. The number of colonies was converted into common logarithms for comparison. RESULTS: The number of colonies recovered from silver-coated gauze was significantly lower than those recovered from ordinary gauze when harvested immediately after exposure (E. coli, 3.06 vs 1.73; A. baumannii, 3.13 vs 1.98; P<0.001). After 24 h incubation of exposed gauze, silver-coated gauze produced less than 1 CFU/mL, whereas ordinary gauze produced a number of colonies significantly higher than it did immediately after exposure (E. coli, 4.13; A. baumannii, 4.46; P<0.001). Conclusion: Compared with ordinary gauze, silver-coated gauze was shown to have 99.99% antibacterial effect.