AQUACEL® Ag dressing
The clinical behavior of these dressings “showed a strong resemblance with cadaver skin treatment with respect to adherence to the wound”.a,4
*Artist's interpretation
AQUACEL® Ag Hydrofiber® Dressing with Silver, Sterile
, incorporating Hydrofiber® Technology with ionic silver, is indicated for partial-thickness burns that are infected or are at an elevated risk of infection (e.g., large partial thickness burns).
HOW THE DRESSING WORKS ON BURNS
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Aquacel® Ag Dressing is intended to adhere to a partial thickness burn through the collection of fibrin, which forms between the dressing and the wound surface.a,1,2,3
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The dressing will detach itself from the wound surface once re-epithelialization has occurred.a,4
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Aquacel® Ag Dressing has demonstrated a number of properties which are beneficial for the management of superficial and mid-dermal partial thickness burns.3,4
- Reduced pain and discomfort during dressing changes
- Can be left in place for up to 14 days
- Few dressing changes
- Ease of application
In vitro studies with AQUACEL® Ag Hydrofiber® Dressing with Silver, Sterile
have demonstrated microbicidal activity against a wide range of pathogens up to a period of 14 days.6
CLINICAL STUDY RESULTS
Caruso, et al. 2006 [+]
In a randomized clinical study of Aquacel® Dressing versus silver sulfadiazine, Aquacel® Ag Dressing was associated with:5
- Significantly less pain and anxiety during dressing changes (P=0.002 and P=0.009, respectively)
- Fewer dressing changes and less nursing time (P<0.001)
- Fewer procedural and opiate medications during dressing changes
- Lower average total cost of care per burn healed versus silver sulfadiazine cream
- Less than half the number of dressing changes as silver sulfadiazine
- Significantly less nursing time per dressing change
- 28% reduction in the cost per partial thickness burn healed compared to silver sulfadiazine
- Lower total treatment cost for a 21-day regimen (including dressings medication and labor):
Caruso, et al. 2004 [+]
In a phase II non-comparative trial of Aquacel® Dressing in superficial, mid-dermal and mixed partial-thickness burns:2
- The ability of Aquacel® Dressing to soothe pain was rated as “excellent“ or “very good“ in 91% of patients by the investigator at final assessment
- There was a significant reduction in pain whilst the dressing was in situ between baseline and day-3 and baseline and day-5 (P=0.0006 and P=0.0256, respectively)
- “77% [of] patients achieved complete healing ... within 14 days ... [with] ... AQUACEL® Ag[dressing]“
- “[With AQUACEL® Ag] the dressing/wound interface remains moist, thereby ... [supporting] ... an appropriate environment for re-epithelialization of the superficial and mid-dermal areas“
Paddock, et al. 2007 [+]
In a retrospective review of data on pediatric patients treated with Aquacel® Ag Dressing versus silver sulfadiazine:7
- Total and direct hospital costs per treated patient were significantly lower for Aquacel® Ag Dressing (P<0.001 and P=0.004, respectively)
- Fixed and variable costs for AQUACEL® Ag totaled: $2,594
- Fixed and variable costs for silver sulfadiazine totaled: $6,389
- “application of ... (Aquacel® Ag Dressing) reduces both total charges and direct costs for pediatric patients admitted with partial-thickness burn wounds.“
References [+]
- Hoekstra MJ, Hermans MH, Richters CD, Dutrieux RP. A histological comparison of acute inflammatory responses with a hydrofibre or tulle gauze dressing. J Wound Care. 2002;11[3]:113-117.
- Caruso DM, Foster KN, Hermans MH, Rick C. Aquacel Ag in the management of partial-thickness burns: results of a clinical trial. J Burn Care Rehabil. 2004;25[1]:89-97.
- Richters CD, du Pont JS, Mayen I, et al. Effects of a Hydrofiber dressing on inflammatory cells in rat partial-thickness wounds. Wounds. 2004;16[2]:63-70.
- Vloemans AF, Soesman AM, Kreis RW, Middelkoop E. A newly developed hydrofibre dressing, in the treatment of partial-thickness burns. Burns. 2001;27[2]:167-173.
- Caruso DM, Foster KN, Blome-Eberwein SA, et al. Randomized clinical study of Hydrofiber dressing with silver or silver sulfadiazine in the management of partial-thickness burns. J Burn Care Res. 2006;27[3]:298-309.
- Bowler PG, Jones SA, Walker M, Parsons D. Microbicidal properties of a silver-containing hydrofiber dressing against a variety of burn wound pathogens. J Burn Care Rehabil. 2004;25[2]:192-196.
- Paddock HN, Fabia R, Giles S, et al. A silver-impregnated antimicrobial dressing reduces hospital costs for pediatric burn patients. J Pediatr Surg. 2007;42[1]:211-213.
Notes [+]
- In a clinical trial of AQUACEL® dressing which is of the same construction as AQUACEL® Ag dressing with the exception of the addition of silver.