In partial thickness burn injuries, silver sulfadiazine cream 1%(SSD, Silvadene^(®) is the most commonly used topical agent worldwide. But silver sulfadiazine cream 1% has no exudate absorption property. Usually after escar is removed from wound surface, Silvadene^(®) is changed to saline wet gauze dressing to promote epithelization.
Aquacel^(®)(ConvaTec, UK) is a 100% sodium carboxymethylcellulose Hydrofiber material. It absorbs exudates directly into the hydrofibers by vertical wicking which allows rapid uptake of liquid into the fibers. The absorbed exudate fluid can be distributed to the entire dressing rather than just over the wound surface, which results in larger fluid absorption capacity.
From April, 2003 to July, 2004 a study was done with 40 patients who had variable partial thickness burns. Aquacel^(®) dressing was compared in 21 cases to silver sulfadiazine cream 1% and saline wet gauze dressings in 19 cases. In the Aquacel^(®) cases, the average healing time on the face was 5.36±1.69 a day; on the hands was 8.46±2.15 a day; and, on the neck was 6.0±2.0 a day. With the Silvadene^(®) and Saline wet gauze dressing, the average healing time on the face was 6.44±1.74 a day; on the hands was 13.79±5.35 a day; and, on the neck was 11.17±3.31 a day.
As a result, the Aquacel^(®) group showed a shorter healing time compared to the Silvadene^(®) and saline wet gauze dressing group and patients were satisfied because of less pain and improved comfort.
In conclusion, Aquacel^(®) is a better choice for partial thickness burn injuries because of shorter healing time, less pain and more confortable dressing.
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