OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of a silver mesh dressing on wounds possibly colonized with bacteria. METHODOLOGY: Seventeen patients were enrolled into this open-label, prospective, non-comparative evaluation. Patients had at least one wound suspected of microbial colonization. Wounds were treated and dressed with a silver mesh dressing as the primary dressing. Patients were followed for a maximum of four weeks. Fifteen patients with at least 1 week of study participation, 2 dressing changes, 1 cm² baseline wound area, and no concomitant antibiotic use were included in the analysis. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and quantitative statistics. RESULTS: Eight (53%) male and 7 (47%) female patients were included in the analysis. The mean (SD) age was 76.5 (16.6) years. The mean (range) number of days the wound was present was 139.2 (11-351) days. Patients participated in the study an average (SD) of 27.0 (9.6) days. Wound etiologies included 10 (67%) pressure ulcers, 3 (20%) venous insufficiency ulcers, 1 (7%) post surgical wound, and 1 (7%) laceration. Wound size decreased in 14 of the 15 subjects (93%) and increased in 1 (7%). The mean (SD) for percent area reduction and linear healing rate were 33.5 (37.6, p=0.0034) percent and 0.118 (0.135, p=0.0026) cm/week, respectively. Dressing performance assessments for ease of application and conformability were all rated very good or good. There were no dressing-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the silver mesh dressing successfully led to resumption of wound healing in most of the enrolled wounds where bacterial colonization was suspected. The dressing was conformable, easy to apply and remove, and was compatible with a variety of dressing materials. Because of its familiar gauze-like appearance, the dressing was clinician-friendly and easy for staff and caregivers to understand and use. * 3M™ Tegaderm™ Ag Mesh Dressing with Silver