Silver sulphadiazine-poly hydroxyethylmethacrylate (PHEMA) dressing

Abstract The use of poly hydroxyethylmethacrylate (PHEMA) as a wound cover has been improved by incorporating 5 per cent silver sulphadiazine (AgSD) into the PHEMA film. After a standardized dorsal burn and infection with virulent Pseudomonas aeruginosa , survival with the PHEMA dressing was no longer than in untreated controls. In contrast, after covering infected wounds with AgSD—PHEMA film 80 per cent survival was observed. The incorporation of AgSD into the PHEMA film produced an effective antimicrobial wound cover.