• M E Olson, J B Wright, K Lam, and R E Burrell.
• LESARC, University of Calgary, AB, Canada.
• Eur J Surg. 2000 Jun 1; 166 (6): 486-9.

ObjectiveTo compare rates of healing of donor sites in pigs between those dressed with silver-coated dressings and those dressed with petrolatum-impregnated absorbent gauze.DesignOpen study with each animal acting as its own control.SettingUniversity research facility, Canada.Animals6 young specific-pathogen-free domestic pigs.InterventionsA total of 72 wounds about 1 cm x 2 cm x 0.4 mm were made in rows of eight on each pig with a dermatome. They were divided into three groups of 24, and dressed with petrolatum gauze, or silver-coated dressings moistened with sterile water either once only or daily for 10 days. All dressings were secured in place with an elastic bandage.Main Outcome MeasuresErythema, infection, epidermal migration, and healing.ResultsWounds dressed with moistened silver-coated dressings re-epithelialised significantly more quickly. This resulted in complete re-epithelialisation within 70% of the time taken by those wounds dressed with petrolatum gauze.ConclusionSilver-coated dressings provide a moist environment for the healing wound combined with an effective antimicrobial agent, and this significantly accelerates healing compared with wounds dressed with traditional petrolatum gauze dressings.

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