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Acta Vulnologica 2010 September;8(3):149-58

Copyright © 2010 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Use of Phmb-treated wound dressings in the prevention of surgical site infections

Moore K. ^{1, 2}, Gray D. ¹

¹ Dipartimento per la Conservazione dei Tessuti, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK 2 Ferite, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK

Surgical site infections can impede wound healing, lengthen hospital stay, and increase health care costs. Increased antibacterial resistance now limits the use of antibiotic prophylaxis. Antiseptics which do not augment bacterial resistance provide a useful alternative. Antimicrobial dressings (AMD) impregnated with polyhexamethylene biguanide have been shown to have low cellular cytotoxicity for wound tissues and to be effective in eliminating antibiotic resistant bacteria. This article discusses evidence for the therapeutic efficacy and the cost-efficacy ratio of AMD dressings in the prevention of wound infections when used regularly in protocols for treating surgical site infections.