BURN CARE

A study published in the May/June 2006 issue of the Journal of Burn Care & Research compared protocols that use either Aquacel Ag Hydrofiber dressing with silver (ConvaTec, a Bristol-Myers Squibb Co, Skillman, NJ) or silver sulfadiazine for up to 21 days in the management of partial-thickness burns covering 5% to 40% body surface area. The researchers found that patients treated with Aquacel Ag experienced less pain and anxiety during dressing changes, less burning and stinging during wear, fewer dressing changes, less nursing time, and use of fewer procedural medications. Use of silver sulfadiazine was associated with greater flexibility and ease of movement. The adverse events, including infection, were comparable between treatment groups.

The study investigators also concluded that the Aquacel Ag dressing protocol tended to have lower total treatment costs ($1040 vs $1180) and a greater rate of reepithelialization (73.8% vs 60%), resulting in cost-savings of $559 per burn healed using the Aquacel Ag dressing.

Source: Caruso DM, Foster KN, Blome-Eberwein SA, et al. Randomized clinical study of hydrofiber dressing with silver or silver sulfadiazine in the management of partial-thickness burns. J Burn Care Res. 2006;27:298-309.