Prospective, Randomized Clinical Trial of a Silver Eluting Dressing System for Prevention of Lower Extremity Revascularization Wound Complications

Rationale:

One of the most common post-operative complications of surgical procedures remains surgical site infection, which causes significant morbidity and healthcare costs (estimated at $1.5 billion per year) among hospitalized patients. Surgical wounds for lower extremity revascularization are particularly prone to infection and dehiscence, with rates in some series as high as 44%(Kent, Bartek et al. 1996). Currently, the Guideline for Prevention of Surgical Site Infection recommends the use of sterile dressing to protect closed incisions for 24 to 48 hour postoperatively. However, no evidence-based recommendations are made with regards to dressing types for use in post-operative incision care.

A plethora of wound dressings are available in the market, with silver-based dressing among these recent innovations. Topical silver treatment is an effective bactericidal agent that does not induce bacterial resistance when used in therapeutic levels. Acticoat Absorbent®(Smith and Nephew, Inc.), an antimicrobial barrier dressing is coated with nanocrystalline silver that delivers a controlled, sustained (up to three days) dose of silver ions. Additionally, this dressing absorbs moisture (minimizing wound maceration), and is safe and effective against a broad range of microorganisms. Acticoat Absorbent® (Acticoat) is indicated for surgical wounds, chronic wounds, and burn wounds; however, data are lacking regarding in its potential role in postoperative surgical incision wound infection prophylaxis.

The Principal Investigator recently completed a non-concurrent, single-institution study of patients who received conventional non-silver containing dressing with Acticoat as post-operative dressing following defined lower extremity revascularizations(Childress, Berceli et al. 2007). The study population comprised 216 patients who underwent 248 cases that met inclusion criteria. Both groups were similar with regards to age at the time of first procedure, gender, race, diabetes, hypertension, current smoking, and renal insufficiency (creatinine >1.5 mg/L). Furthermore, both groups had tissue loss as the most common indication for the lower extremity revascularization procedure, with 47% (55/118) for the control group and 38% (49/130) for the treatment group. Moreover, autogenous vein bypass graft was the most common procedure performed for the control (65/118, 55% of procedures) and treatment (54/130, 42% of procedures) groups.

The surgeons and other providers found the dressing regimen easy to apply and care for post-operatively. Revascularization pulses could be palpated through the dressing, and the low profile permitted identification of post-operative soft tissue changes such as hematomas. Compressive ace bandages could be applied without disturbing the original dressing.