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Case Study
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Progression of the wound healing response in three patients with chronic wounds utilizing a new composite dressing containing a silver ion antimicrobial* Marie Brown-Etris, RN, CWOCN, Marian Punchello, LPN, Susan Landacky RN, BSN, WOCN, Patricia McKeown, LPN. Three patients participated in a clinical study of a novel composite dressing which incorporates a silver ion antimicrobial. When used with an absorptive secondary dressing, the bi-layer composite dressing optimizes the moisture level at the wound: dressing interface by transporting excess exudate away from the wound. With heavily-exudating wounds, the composite dressing effectively managed the moisture level in the wound beds with little to no maceration of the wound or periwound area. However, during the study, exudate rates decreased in several wounds requiring moisture retention for continued epithelialization. Interestingly, it was determined that application of the hydrophilic side of the composite dressing would aid in hydration of the wound bed, thereby expanding the functional use of the composite dressing Case study #1 was a 79-year-old woman with a 6.2 x 4 x 0.2 cm venous ulcer with 70% fibrinous tissue base which was quite painful, effecting her ambulation in her Long Term Care facility. She was being treated with steroids for COPD and could not tolerate any compression. She remained on the study dressing because of her positive healing response Case study #2 details a failed sacral flap in a 45-year-old man with compromised wound healing capabilities secondary to HIV/AIDS Case study #3 was an 18-year-old man with 14 right LE venous ulcers due to congenital A-V malformation. He had been wearing a 40+ mm Hg compression stocking, which he continued. Many of these ulcers existed for greater than 1 year. After treatment with the bi-layer silver dressing, the ulcers have healed or are progressing. *SelectSilver, Milliken & Company, Spartanburg, SC. |
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