In a recent study, silver dressings used in conjunction with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) have been shown to significantly decrease bacterial loads in wounds, specifically ones contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus.

Researchers writing for the Journal of Trauma-Injury Infection & Critical Care have recently found that the bacterial load of wounds inoculated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus was approximately 20% less when using silver dressings with NPWT, compared with the NPWT control group without the use of silver. Six hours after inoculation, researchers debrided the wounds and covered them with silver-infused gauze. The wounds were then debrided every 48 hours for a total of six days.

In the wounds inoculated with P. Aeruginosa, the group using silver dressings with NPWT contained 21% bacteria, while the control group contained 43%, thus showing the benefits of silver-containing dressings used with NPWT.

To see the study, click here.

Image: Staph. Credit: chrstphr on Flickr.