Silver Dressings in Wound Healing: What Is the Evidence?

Silver has a long history of medicinal use based on its antimicrobial effects. Microbial burden can delay wound healing and makes silver an attractive local antiseptic for wounds affected this way, especially as antibiotics have limitations. Whilst there is good evidence in preclinical studies of the effects of silver on microbes and on processes that delay wound healing, evidence for the benefits of silver products on human wound healing is still far from robust. At this stage, silver products should be confined to adequately assessed wounds that are failing to heal with cheaper products, especially where microbial burden appears to be delaying healing. There are a range of silver products currently available, with differing formulations and delivery of silver, and differing product bases. Current evidence does not clearly demonstrate that one product is more effective that another, and choice of an initial product will be based on wound and patient characteristics, product availability and practitioner familiarity and preferences.

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