A review of the applications of the hydrofiber dressing with silver (Aquacel Ag®) in wound care

Aquacel Ag((R)) (ConvaTec, Princeton, NJ, USA) is a new hydrofiber wound dressing consisting of soft non-woven sodium carboxymethylcellulose fibers integrated with ionic silver. It is a moisture-retention dressing, which forms a gel on contact with wound fluid and has antimicrobial properties of ionic silver. We present a current literature review on Aquacel Ag((R)), of both in vitro and in vivo efficacy and clinical applications. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the wide antimicrobial properties of Aquacel Ag((R)), and additionally demonstrated the cytotoxicity of ionic silver to keratinocytes and fibroblasts that cause delay in wound re-epithelialization. Clinical studies confirmed that Aquacel Ag((R)) is an effective and safe dressing for a variety of wound types, both acute and chronic. Incorporation of ionic silver into the hydrofibers does not cause undue alteration in the performance properties of the base dressing, which continues to provide favorable wound moisture and exudate management. The addition of ionic silver reduces local pain and dressing changes, and provides significant broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, with no delay in wound healing.