The wound-healing effects of a next-generation anti-biofilm silver Hydrofiber wound dressing on deep partial-thickness wounds using a porcine model

Abstract

Topical antimicrobials are widely used to control wound bioburden and facilitate wound healing; however, the fine balance between antimicrobial efficacy and non-toxicity must be achieved. This study evaluated whether an anti-biofilm silver-containing wound dressing interfered with the normal healing process in non-contaminated deep partial thickness wounds. In an in-vivo porcine wound model using 2 pigs, 96 wounds were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dressing groups: anti-biofilm silver Hydrofiber dressing (test), silver Hydrofiber dressing (control), or polyurethane film dressing (control). Wounds were investigated for 8 days, and wound biopsies (n = 4) were taken from each dressing group, per animal, on days 2, 4, 6, and 8 after wounding and evaluated using light microscopy. No statistically significant differences were observed in the rate of reepithelialisation, white blood cell infiltration, angiogenesis, or granulation tissue formation following application of the anti-biofilm silver Hydrofiber dressing versus the 2 control dressings. Overall, epithelial thickness was similar between groups. Some differences in infiltration of specific cell types were observed between groups. There were no signs of tissue necrosis, fibrosis, or fatty infiltration in any group. An anti-biofilm silver Hydrofiber wound dressing did not cause any notable interference with normal healing processes.

Keywords: anti-biofilm dressings; healing; partial thickness wounds; porcine model; silver.

Figure 1

The percentage of wound epithelialised during application of an anti‐biofilm silver Hydrofiber dressing, a silver Hydrofiber dressing control, or polyurethane film control at 2, 4, 6, and 8 days after wounding. Percentage calculated as a mean of 8 samples; error bars represent standard deviations. Abbreviations: ABSH, anti‐biofilm silver Hydrofiber; SH, silver Hydrofiber; PUF, polyurethane film

Figure 2

White cell infiltrate mean scores during application of an anti‐biofilm silver Hydrofiber dressing, silver Hydrofiber dressing control, or polyurethane film control at 2, 4, 6, and 8 days after wounding. Error bars represent standard deviations; n = 8. Abbreviations: ABSH, anti‐biofilm silver Hydrofiber; PUF, polyurethane film; SH, silver Hydrofiber

Figure 3

New granulation tissue formation mean scores during application of an anti‐biofilm silver Hydrofiber dressing, silver Hydrofiber dressing control, or polyurethane film control at 2, 4, 6, and 8 days after wounding. Error bars represent standard deviations; n = 8. ABSH, anti‐biofilm silver Hydrofiber; PUF, polyurethane film; SH, silver Hydrofiber