Clinical Study Proves Silver Nylon Dressings are Effective at Preventing Surgical Site Infections Following Colorectal Surgery
Posted on Tue, Aug 09, 2011
Cura Surgical announces publication of a groundbreaking study in the August issue of Diseases of the Colon & Rectum Volume 54:8 (2011), proving Silverlon® silver dressings are safe and effective in preventing surgical site infection following colorectal surgery.
Providing the strongest clinical evidence to date, a new study has proven that by applying Silverlon® silver dressings immediately following colorectal surgery, the likelihood of a surgical site infection can be greatly reduced. The data from this study will be published in the August issue of Diseases of the Colon & Rectum Volume 54:8 (2011).
In this groundbreaking study (conducted by the University of South Florida’s Department of Surgery), 110 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery from July 2009 to April 2010, were randomly assigned to receive either a Silverlon® silver dressing or a standard gauze dressing in the operating room following surgery.
“The choice of colorectal surgery for the study was key,” states Jorge E. Marcet, MD, Professor of Surgery, University of South Florida. “Colorectal surgery, because of its contaminated nature, is associated with rates of infection as high as 30%. Unlike other types of surgeries where the origin of infection may be uncertain, in colorectal surgeries, there is no debate; when the bowel is opened and the flora is dispersed, the likelihood of a contaminated incision is high.”
After a 30-day follow-up period, the total incidence of SSIs in the silver nylon dressing group was 13%, which was significantly lower than the 33% in the gauze dressing group. Twenty-five patients in the study developed infections. There were 19 superficial surgical site infections (5 in the silver nylon dressing group and 14 in the gauze dressing group). Two patients in the silver nylon dressing group developed deep wound infections compared with 4 in the gauze dressing group. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients in the gauze dressing group had a 3-fold increase in risk of infection compared with patients in the silver nylon dressing group.
“The results from this prospective, randomized study were conclusive,” stated Marcet. “Silver nylon is safe and effective in preventing surgical site infection following colorectal surgery. Surgical site infections increase the average length of hospitalization from 6 to 11 days, and cost an estimated $11,000 to $35,000 per infection to treat. Silverlon® dressings reduced the incidence of these infections by 60.6%.”
Download a copy of the complete manuscript, “The Use of Silver Nylon in Preventing Surgical Site Infections Following Colon and Rectal Surgery,” published in Diseases of the Colon & Rectum Volume 54:8 (2011)
About Silverlon® Silver Antimicrobial Dressings
Clinical studies prove Silverlon® silver antimicrobial dressings can reduce SSIs when applied in the operating room immediately following surgery. Silverlon® silver dressings provide a sustained release of silver ions directly into the wound, above the level necessary to eradicate all known infection-causing bacteria in as little as 60 minutes after application. The Silverlon® dressing's conductive surface provides a long-term antimicrobial barrier, reduces pain, and reportedly accelerates healing.
About Cura Surgical
Cura Surgical has been introducing innovative products to the surgical industry for more than 30 years. Cura Surgical provides solutions to facilitate healing and recovery for surgical patients. Cura Surgical's offering includes minimally invasive surgical alternatives as well as Silverlon® silver antimicrobial dressings for preventing Surgical Site Infections (SSIs).