Are silver dressings helping in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers - Essay Example

In spite of the progress made over the decades in the understanding and treatment of these complex chronic wounds, most wounds do not respond to conventional treatments. Silver has been used for centuries in the treatment of wounds. The antimicrobial properties of silver are well documented since ancient times. Even as early as 750AD, silver vessels were used to store water in recognition of silver’s medicinal properties. Crede is credited for producing the first scientific papers in 1881, on the use of silver for preventing eye infection in neonates.

In 1965, Moyer et al reported on the antibacterial action of 0.5% silver nitrate compresses applied to extensive burns (Maillard, 2006). Commonly used vehicles for delivery of silver include foams, alginates, films, sheets and hydrocolloids. In addition, a number of technologies like silver salts, absorbed ionic silver (in silver charcoal metallic silver products), and nanocrystalline silver coatings (silver vapour sprayed onto the backings of dressing materials) are available that are capable of releasing varying concentrations of silver cations to wounds (Maillard, 2006).

The increased prevalence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics has resulted in advances in impregnation techniques and polymer technologies. A variety of silver-based dressings, varying in their structure, formulation and concentration of silver are now available. These dressings are designed to improve healing by reducing or controlling the wound bioburden (Maillard, 2006) Since diabetic foot ulcers are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, it becomes imperative to use an ideal antimicrobial dressing, which also takes into account the increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics.

The aim of this study is to review literature for evidence regarding the use of various silver-based dressings and their efficacy in diabetic foot ulcers. Original articles