Role of Silver-containing Carboxymethyl Cellulose Dressing in the Management of Exudative Infected Wounds

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Wound healing is a result of complex processes whose components, such as cells, extracellular matrix, proteolytic enzymes, and their inhibitors receive effects from immune compartments, cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. Impairment of normal physiologic response to wounding makes nonhealing chronic wounds. Wound infection and exacerbated proteolytic process may induce uncontrolled tissue degradation or exudates formation, which may result in the development of a nonhealing chronic wound. Thus proper management of wound infection and exudates is critical to prevent and treat nonhealing wound. The aim of this study is to evaluate effects of Aquacel AG, silver-containing carboxymethylcellulose dressing on treatment for exudative infected wound. METHODS: The study included 31 patients with nonhealing wound. Wound was dressed with Aquacel AG. The effect of dressing was investigated by serial bacterial culture and wound exudates assessment. Each infection and exudates control time was determined and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Wound infection and exudates were effectively managed using Aquacel AG dressing. Mean infection and exudates control time were 3.4+/-1.2 and 5.7+/-1.4 weeks, respectively. Statistical analysis of the data indicated that infection control time correlated positively to age and exudates control time (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: There is as yet no ideal dressing for the topical treatment of chronic nonhealing wound. But silver-containing carboxymethylcellulose dressing can be used effectively for exudative, infected nonhealing wound.