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Clinical Research
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Clinical evaluation of the efficacy and safety of an innovative moist wound dressing (IWD), containing a nanolayer of metallic silver in patients following an extensive surgical procedure for pectus excavatum T. Riesinger, NAWA Heilmittel GmbH, Nuremberg, Germany; E.R. Gubish, BioDerm Sciences, Inc. Oxford, MS The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an innovative moist wound dressing in patients following an extensive surgical procedure for pectus excavatum (funnel chest). Forty male patients (age 16Ð48) were randomly assigned to receive either a moist wound dressing or a standard dry wound dressing. The moist dressing consists of a non-woven fabric coated with a nanolayer of metallic silver containing a zinc/iron (0.003%) wound solution After application of the silver dressing, 10 ml of a sterile acidic solution containing trace amounts of iron and zinc salts were injected into the dressing. Wounds were examined immediately following surgery and at 4, 9, and 90 days after application of the dressings and again 1 year after surgery. The primary measures of efficacy were acute wound healing, rate of infection, C-reactive protein levels and crust/keloid formation. Patients who received moist wound dressing demonstrated faster time to wound closure than patients in the control group, had no wound infections, and had less crust/keloid formation at all of the time points. Overall, patients receiving the moist wound dressing had fewer complications, had lower levels of C-reactive protein, and less skin irritation than patients in the control group. The moist wound dressing was clearly superior to the standard dry wound dressing and is safer for use with patients, following surgical procedures. |
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