Clinical Performance Evaluation and Treatment Cost Comparison of a New Higher Valence State Silver Oxysalts Dressing

Purpose: Some commonly used silver dressings release silver into the wound causing stinging and pain; others have not demonstrated 7-day antimicrobial sustainability.^1-3 In addition, the high cost of silver dressings can be a detriment to their use. We evaluated a new dressing of 3 layers coated with silver oxysalts in the +1, +2, and +3 valence states and using 75% less silver than competitive products to achieve 7-day sustained antimicrobial activity.*⁴ At a concentration of approximately 0.4 mg/cm²   the result is a slow pH shift which reduces stinging, pain, and tissue staining. 

Methodology: A prospective non-blinded clinical evaluation of 50 patients with various wound etiologies treated in the outpatient clinical setting was conducted.  In addition, we compared treatment costs with the existing silver dressing protocol used in each location. Investigators evaluated subjects for a minimum of 4 weeks as deemed appropriate based on wound characteristics. The dressing remained in place 7 days.  Wound characteristics were documented weekly on the BWAT Assessment Tool; patient pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Pain Scale.

Results: Clinicians consistently reported improvement in all wound characteristics, increase in granulation tissue, and less pain for patients. Especially noteworthy was the decrease in inflammation and odor in all wound types. Some wounds of long duration healed in less than 4 weeks. Better absorption and less maceration than other silver dressings were also reported. The dressing cost was 25-30% lower that other silver dressings.

Conclusion:  Different compounds of silver will interact with the wound environment differently. Different oxidation states of the active form of silver may offer different degrees of activity at the same concentration. Gaining a better understanding of silver properties and its function is a valuable tool for clinicians when selecting the ideal silver dressing.

* exsalt™ SD7 Wound Dressing, Exciton Technologies, Inc., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.