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Comparison of Silver Sulfadiazine, Povidone‐Iodine and Physiologic Saline in the Treatment of Chronic Pressure Ulcers
Author(s) -
KUCAN JOHN O.,
ROBSON MARTIN C.,
HEGGERS JOHN P.,
KO FRANCIS
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1981.tb01773.x
Subject(s) - silver sulfadiazine , medicine , saline , iodine , sulfadiazine , surgery , anesthesia , wound healing , antibiotics , microbiology and biotechnology , metallurgy , biology , materials science
The presence of bacteria and local infection is an important factor in the local management of chronic pressure ulcers. For successful closure of the ulcer, the bacterial count should be 10 5 or less per gram of tissue in the granulating wound. In a prospective randomized study of 45 (eventually 40) hospitalized patients, silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene) cream and povidone‐iodine (Betadine) solution were compared to physiologic saline for effectiveness in preparing pressure ulcers for closure. Quantitative bacteriologic techniques on tissue biopsy specimens were used for objective evaluation. In 100 percent of the ulcers treated with silver sulfadiazine cream (15 patients) the bacterial counts were reduced to 10 5 or less per gram of tissue within the three‐week test period, compared to 78.6 percent in those treated with saline (14 patients) and 63.6 percent in those treated with povidone‐iodine solution (11 patients). Moreover, the ulcers treated with silver sulfadiazine cream responded more rapidly, with one‐third showing bacterial levels of <10 5 within three days, and half within a week.