Comparative study of two antimicrobial dressings in infected leg ulcers: a pilot study

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of a microorganism-binding (MB) dressing with a silver-containing hydrofiber (SCH) dressing in controlling the bacterial loads of heavily colonised or locally infected chronic venous leg ulcers, before surgical management with homologous skin grafts. Method: A randomised comparative single centre study recruited patients presenting with hard-to-heal critically colonised or locally infected leg ulcers, who could be treated with skin grafting. Inclusion criteria included; ulcers of vascular aetiology, over 18 years old, a wound duration ≥6 months and ankle brachial index (ABPI) >0.6. Patients were randomly assigned to treatment with SCH dressings (Aquacel Ag) or MB dressing (Cutimed Sorbact). Dressings were changed daily over a four-day observation period, after which they were taken for a skin grafting procedure. Swab samples from ulcer beds were taken in order to quantify the bacterial load at inclusion (D0) and at the end of the observation peri...