Silver dressings in wound healing : what is the evidence ?

Associate Professor Michael Woodward MB BS, FRACP Director, Aged and Residential Care Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital Austin Health, Heidelberg West, VIC 3081 Abstract Silver has a long history of medicinal use based on its antimicrobial effects. Microbial burden can delay wound healing and makes silver an attractive local antiseptic for wounds affected this way, especially as antibiotics have limitations. Whilst there is good evidence in preclinical studies of the effects of silver on microbes and on processes that delay wound healing, evidence for the benefits of silver products on human wound healing is still far from robust. At this stage, silver products should be confined to adequately assessed wounds that are failing to heal with cheaper products, especially where microbial burden appears to be delaying healing.