• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.691-696
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• 2007

Purpose: The emergency of multi-drug resistant stains of bacteria represents a challenge in the field of plastic surgery. Especially, MRSA(methycillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa have strong pathogenicity as well as multi-drug resistance so that they have become a lot more problematic strains. This study has been planned to reduce the bacterial burden by applying $Acticoat^{(R)}$(Smith & Nephew Healthcare, Hull, England)dressing into the chronic wounds infected by multi-drug resistant strains and to facilitate their healing. Methods: Nanocrystalline silver dressings($Acticoat^{(R)}$) were applied to chronic wound infected by MRSA or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Multi-drug resistant bacteria were smeared over a slide glass using sterilized cotton swabs and gram stains were performed directly before and after applying $Acticoat^{(R)}$ dressings at 1, 24, 48 and 72 hours. The gram-stained slides were observed using an optical microscope magnified 1000 times(${\times}1000$). The bacterial counts of the control group(0 hour) were compared to those of the experimental groups(1, 24, 48, and 72 hour). Paired T-test was used to assess a statistical significance. MRSA was cultured in two BAPs(blood agar plate) and two MacConkey plates with streak plate method. None were interventions on one culture plate, while on the other culture plate, $Acticoat^{(R)}$ was placed in a square shape and cultured for 72 hours at $37^{\circ}C$, then plates were examined. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was cultured in the same manner as MRSA. Results: There are the large amount of declination of bacterial counts with statistical significance after $Acticoat^{(R)}$ dressing. The bacteria grew in culture plate without specific intervention, but no bacteria grew in culture plate with applying of $Acticoat^{(R)}$ dressing. Conclusion: We believe that $Acticoat^{(R)}$ dressing could be used as an effective method of treating chronic wounds which are infected by multi-drug resistant organisms.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.407-412
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• 2008

Purpose: Hydrofluoric acid(HF) is one of the most dangerous mineral acids with the dissociated fluoride ions. The initial corrosive burn is caused by free hydrogen ion, and the second and more severe burn is caused by penetration of fluoride ions into subcutaneous tissues. Silver is a cation producing dressing, an effective antimicrobial agent, but older silver-containing formulations are rapidly inactivated by wound environment, requiring frequent replenishment. But, $Acticoat^{(R)}$ is a relatively new form of silver dressing which helps avoid the problems of earlier agents. The aim of this study is to evaluate effects of $Acticoat^{(R)}$, silver-containing dressing on the treatment for HF injury wound. Methods: From september 2006 to september 2007, the study was carried out with 10 patients who had HF partial thickness burns. $Acticoat^{(R)}$ dressing and 10% calcium gluconate wet gauze dressings in 10 cases. As a principle, in the emergency treatment, partial or complete removal of the nail and early bullectomy along with copious washing with normal saline was done, depending on the degree of HF invasion of the wound. Wound was dressed with $Acticoat^{(R)}$ and 10% calcium gluconate solution. The effect of dressing was investgated by serial bacterial culture and wound exudates assessment. Results: We therefore reviewed 10 cases of HF-induced chemical burns and treatment principle. The 10 cases who came to the hospital nearly immediately after the injury healed completely without sequelae. Conclusion: As the industrial sector develops, the use of HF is increasing more and more, leading to increased incidences of HF-induced chemical burns. The education of patients regarding this subject should be empathized accordingly. In conclusion, $Acticoat^{(R)}$ dressing is a better choice for HF partial thickness burn injuries because of shorter healing time, less pain and more comfortable dressing.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2007

Purpose: $Allevyn^{(R)}$(Smith & Nephew, England) is a type of polyurethane foam material with good wound discharge absorption. $Acticoat^{(R)}$(Smith & Nephew, England) is a silver coated dressing material which is effective in infected wound. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of dry gauze, $Acticoat^{(R)}$ and $Allevyn^{(R)}$ on infected full-thickness wound healing in rat. Methods: One hundred and twenty rats were divided into 3 groups: group I(dressing with dry gauze, n=40), group II(dressing with $Allevyn^{(R)}$, n=40), group III(dressing with $Acticoat^{(R)}$, n=40). A $15{\times}15mm$ square full-thickness wound was made on the dorsum and left open for 24 hours. The size of wound defects were measured each dressing changes. The histological evaluation was performed on the 3rd day, 7th day, 14th day, 21th day. Results: After the wound was left open for 24 hours, typical findings of bacterial infection was observed. After the 7th day, group III showed larger area of epithelialization, smaller defect size compared to those of two other groups. Complete replacement by fibrotic scar tissue was observed in group III with no signs of inflammation on the 14th day. By day 21, the average defect size in group III was decreased from initial 100% to 3.63%. while in group I and II, it was decreased to 62.66% and 53.62%, respectively. Conclusion: $Acticoat^{(R)}$ is an effective tool in the treatment of infected wound.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.372-379
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect on antibacterial activities and wound healing effect of silver containing dressings with which of Betadine against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods: One full thickness skin defects in rats(n=72) were developed on the back and were given rise to infection with S. aureus(n=36) and P. aeruginosa(n=36). The 72 mice were divided into 6 groups : Acticoat$^{(R)}$, Aquacel$^{(R)}$-Ag, Medifoam silver$^{(R)}$, Polymen silver$^{(R)}$, Ilvadon$^{(R)}$ and Betadine(control group) dressing groups. Five silver containing dressings and Betadine were assesed on infected wound. Measurement of wound size change, bacterial colonies count and histologic findings was applied. Antibacterial activity was analyzed with bacterial restricted zone in Mueller Hinton agar. Results: On S. aureus, wound size was more decreased in all treated groups as compared with betadine, however Ilvadon$^{(R)}$ was less decreased on P. aeruginosa. In histologic findings, experimental group showed more effective findings than others on S. aureus, however on P. aeruginosa, which was showed similar. Acticoat$^{(R)}$ was best effective in wound healing against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. The bacterial colonies count was increased in all treated groups except Acticoat$^{(R)}$ as compared with the control group on S. aureus, which was decreased in Acticoat$^{(R)}$ and Ilvadon$^{(R)}$ group on P. aeruginosa. There were not statistical differences. The restricted zone was shown in Mueller - Hinton agar of all groups except Medifoam silver$^{(R)}$ group on S. aureus, which was shown of all groups on P. aeruginosa. There were statistical differences. Conclusion: This study suggests that silver containing dressings may have not better potential than Betadine in assisting management of wounds at risk of infection on S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. However, which have better antibacterial activity on S. aureus and P. aeruginosa.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.277-282
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of self-home dressing with nanocrystalline silver dressing method on the treatment of chronic ulcer wounds of the foot. Material and Methods: One hundred-nine patients with chronic foot ulcer due to various causes were treated with nanocrystalline silver dressing material. Dressing was done by themselves in their home. Dressing changes were performed every 2 to 3 days until complete reepithelization. Results: One hundred two cases of all cases had a complete reepithelization. It took 49 days to have a complete reepithelization on average. Seven cases failed to complete reepithelization because of infection. There was no silver intoxication in any cases. Conclusion: Using nanocrystalline silver is a useful dressing method for various superficial chronic ulcer and it can be done by themselves at their home. Thus it is considered to be more comfortable to both patients and doctors.