Evaluation of a Silver Collagen based Gel and Attained Pain Relief in Arterial Ulcers

Introduction:  This study examines the role of a combination of ionic and nanocrystalline silver with group I bovine collagen and pain relief at the site of arterial ulcers. 

Methods:  30 skilled nursing residents ages 56 to 98 and narcotic dependent were chosen with arterial ulcers existent for over 4 months.  Silver sulfodiazine cream had been used bid with 30 out of 30 residents reporting pain before, diring and after dressing change.  A scale of 1 to 10 was used for pain assessment (ten being the worst).  The clients were followed for 8 weeks.  The wounds were prepared with sterile water and a cotton tipped applicator was used to apply the silver collagen gel to the wound bed.  The wounds were covered by a bordered foam and the dressing was changed every three days.

Results: 

Study initiation:  28 reported a ten  2 reported a nine; Immediately post application:  1 reported a ten ; 3 a nine;  21 an eight;  1 a seven ; 4 a six

One day later:  24 a six; 2 a four; 2 a three; 1 a two and 1 a one

At two weeks:  3 healed; 21 a five; 4 a three; 2 a one

At four weeks:  5 healed; 11 a five ; 5 a four; 4 a three; 1 a two; 1 a one

At week six:  1 CTB; 2 healed; 9 a three; 7 a two; 3 a one

Conclusion:  The silver collagen gel provided localized pain relief and expedient healing on chronic wounds.

Special thanks to Square One Medical and Vincencian Regency for study participation and providing the silver collagen gel  (SilvaKollagen Dermarite Industries)