Silver dressings for the healing of venous leg ulcer

Abstract

This study was aimed to evaluate whether silver-containing dressings were superior to other types of dressings in the treatment of venous leg ulcers (VLU) and their specific advantages. Eight databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid-Medline, Wanfang, VIP, China Biology Medicine, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure) were systematically reviewed from inception to May 2019 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The primary outcome was complete wound healing, and the secondary outcomes included absolute wound size changes (change of cm 2 area since baseline), relative changes (percentage change of area relative to baseline), and healing rate. Two reviewers independently evaluated the risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration assessment tool and extracted the data according to the predesigned table. All analyses were performed using the latest Review Manager Software (version 5.3). A total of 8 studies qualified and were included in the meta-analysis, including 1057 patients (experiment: 526, control: 531). Both complete wound healing and wound healing rates were reported in 5 studies. Two and 3 studies reported the effect of silver dressings on absolute and relative wound size changes, respectively. Most of the studies used intention-to-treat analysis. There was sufficient evidence that silver-containing dressings can accelerate the healing rate of chronic VLU and improve their healing in a short duration of time. However, compared with other dressings, clinical trials with long-term follow-up data are needed to confirm whether silver dressings have advantages regarding complete wound healing.

Analysis of therapeutic effect of silver‐based dressings on chronic wound healing

“…In a recent randomized controlled study, the polyurethane dressing containing silver particles was shown to be more effective in reducing the infection rate in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) compared to the simple sterile dressing 29 . For the treatment of other chronic wounds such as venous leg ulcer, pemphigus vulgaris and incisional wound, silver‐containing dressings can also accelerate the wound healing and reduce wound infection compared to conventional non‐silver dressing 12,13,30 . These findings are consistent with the conclusion of our study.…”

Analysis of therapeutic effect of silver‐based dressings on chronic wound healing

“…In a recent randomized controlled study, the polyurethane dressing containing silver particles was shown to be more effective in reducing the infection rate in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) compared to the simple sterile dressing 29 . For the treatment of other chronic wounds such as venous leg ulcer, pemphigus vulgaris and incisional wound, silver‐containing dressings can also accelerate the wound healing and reduce wound infection compared to conventional non‐silver dressing 12,13,30 . These findings are consistent with the conclusion of our study.…”

Examining the effect of polyurethane dressing containing silver particles on the rate of diabetic foot ulcer infection in hospitalized patients: A randomized control study

“…According to the results of some studies, silver dressings significantly reduce odor, improve pain-related symptoms, decrease wound secretion, and have a longer dressing time compared to alternative wound treatments in chronic infected and non-healed wounds. 29,30 However, inconsistent with the current study, Cutting et al 23 believe that dressings containing silver are not effective in reducing infection despite their useful effects. The study of Cutting et al 23 goes back to 16 years ago when there were still few studies on the antiseptic effects of silver-containing dressings.…”

Impact of Silver Dressings on Wound Healing Rate in Patients with Lower Extremity Ulcers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…We also looked at the cumulative evidence into the effectiveness of silver dressings on improving wound-healing outcomes. In some studies, clear variations were noted, for instance, it had been pointed out that dressings increased healing rates and reduced wound areas, especially in the case of VLU [26]. In our result, although there was evidence of the unique benefits of silver dressings in DFU management, these dressings in particular hastened early wound healing.…”

Analysis of therapeutic effect of silver‐based dressings on chronic wound healing

“…In a recent randomized controlled study, the polyurethane dressing containing silver particles was shown to be more effective in reducing the infection rate in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) compared to the simple sterile dressing 29 . For the treatment of other chronic wounds such as venous leg ulcer, pemphigus vulgaris and incisional wound, silver‐containing dressings can also accelerate the wound healing and reduce wound infection compared to conventional non‐silver dressing 12,13,30 . These findings are consistent with the conclusion of our study.…”

Examining the effect of polyurethane dressing containing silver particles on the rate of diabetic foot ulcer infection in hospitalized patients: A randomized control study

“…According to the results of some studies, silver dressings significantly reduce odor, improve pain-related symptoms, decrease wound secretion, and have a longer dressing time compared to alternative wound treatments in chronic infected and non-healed wounds. 29,30 However, inconsistent with the current study, Cutting et al 23 believe that dressings containing silver are not effective in reducing infection despite their useful effects. The study of Cutting et al 23 goes back to 16 years ago when there were still few studies on the antiseptic effects of silver-containing dressings.…”

Impact of Silver Dressings on Wound Healing Rate in Patients with Lower Extremity Ulcers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…We also looked at the cumulative evidence into the effectiveness of silver dressings on improving wound-healing outcomes. In some studies, clear variations were noted, for instance, it had been pointed out that dressings increased healing rates and reduced wound areas, especially in the case of VLU [26]. In our result, although there was evidence of the unique benefits of silver dressings in DFU management, these dressings in particular hastened early wound healing.…”

Analysis of therapeutic effect of silver‐based dressings on chronic wound healing

“…In a recent randomized controlled study, the polyurethane dressing containing silver particles was shown to be more effective in reducing the infection rate in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) compared to the simple sterile dressing 29 . For the treatment of other chronic wounds such as venous leg ulcer, pemphigus vulgaris and incisional wound, silver‐containing dressings can also accelerate the wound healing and reduce wound infection compared to conventional non‐silver dressing 12,13,30 . These findings are consistent with the conclusion of our study.…”

Examining the effect of polyurethane dressing containing silver particles on the rate of diabetic foot ulcer infection in hospitalized patients: A randomized control study

“…According to the results of some studies, silver dressings significantly reduce odor, improve pain-related symptoms, decrease wound secretion, and have a longer dressing time compared to alternative wound treatments in chronic infected and non-healed wounds. 29,30 However, inconsistent with the current study, Cutting et al 23 believe that dressings containing silver are not effective in reducing infection despite their useful effects. The study of Cutting et al 23 goes back to 16 years ago when there were still few studies on the antiseptic effects of silver-containing dressings.…”

Impact of Silver Dressings on Wound Healing Rate in Patients with Lower Extremity Ulcers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…We also looked at the cumulative evidence into the effectiveness of silver dressings on improving wound-healing outcomes. In some studies, clear variations were noted, for instance, it had been pointed out that dressings increased healing rates and reduced wound areas, especially in the case of VLU [26]. In our result, although there was evidence of the unique benefits of silver dressings in DFU management, these dressings in particular hastened early wound healing.…”