The Wound Healing Effects of an Advanced Antimicrobial Wound Dressing on Deep Partial Thickness Wounds using a Porcine Model

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 (1-4). This study evaluated the effect of an advanced antimicrobial dressing on the healing of deep partial thickness wounds. In an in-vivo porcine wound model using 2 pigs, 48 deep partial thickness wounds (12 mm x 12 mm x 0.5 mm) were created on each animal for a total of 96 wounds (5). Wounds were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: Advanced Antimicrobial Dressing*, Silver Hydrofiber Dressing** or polyurethane film dressing. Wounds were treated for 8 days and wound biopsies (n=4) were taken from each treatment 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 re-epithelialization, white blood cell infiltration, angiogenesis or granulation tissue formation following treatment of wounds with the Advanced Antimicrobial Dressing versus the two control dressings. Overall, epithelial thickness was similar between groups. Some differences in infiltration of specific cell-types were observed between treatment groups. Overall, there were no signs of tissue necrosis, fibrosis or fatty infiltration in any treatment group. In vitro and in vivo effectiveness of the advanced antimicrobial dressing has previously been reported (6,7,8); this study has demonstrated that the dressing does not impair tissue repair, which is equally important in delivering optimal wound care.

* Advanced Antimicrobial Dressing (AQUACELâ„¢ Ag Advantage, ConvaTec Ltd, UK)

** Silver Hydrofiber Dressing (AQUACELâ„¢ Ag Extraâ„¢, ConvaTec Ltd, UK)