What are the benefits of silver dressings?
A 2017 meta-analysis of clinical evidence found that using silver to treat infected wounds resulted in:
- better wound healing;
- improved quality of life; and
- good cost-effectiveness.1
Studies have also shown that silver dressings may increase the likelihood that a venous leg ulcer will heal, when compared to treatment with nonadherent dressings.2
Antiseptics vs antibiotics
Resistance to antibiotics is an area of increasing concern. Topical antiseptics, such as silver, differ from antibiotics: they have multiple sites of antimicrobial action on target cells and therefore a low risk of bacterial resistance (see Figure 3). As a result, silver dressings can potentially play an important role in controlling the bioburden in wounds, while limiting exposure to antibiotics. This could then reduce the risk of a patient developing further antibiotic resistance.3
Did you know?
A recent consensus among international wound care specialists recommended silver as the best active component in dressings for treating local infections.4
References
- Dissemond et al. Evidence for silver in wound care – meta-analysis of clinical studies from 2000-2015. JDDG 2017; 15(5)_524-35.
- Norman et al. Dressings and topical agents for treating venous leg ulcers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2018(6):1-289.
- Appropriate use of silver dressings in wounds. An expert working group consensus. London: Wounds International, 2012.
- Swanson T et al. Preventing and treating infection in wounds: translating evidence and recommendations into practice. WINT 2020:11(4);82-86.
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