Silver Sulfadiazine Cream Treatment Results in More Wound Contraction and More Itch in a Standardized Porcine Scald Model.

A variety of dressings is available for the treatment of partial-thickness wounds, but none has strong evidence supporting their beneficial effect on healing. This may be due to variation in the type and depth of wounds in clinical studies. The aim of this study was to use a standardized porcine wound model to compare three dressings commonly used in burn centers for partial-thickness burns. Partial-thickness scalds were made on the flanks of pigs. Wounds were treated with silver sulfadiazine (SSD, flammazine), a hydrofiber dressing, or glycerol-preserved allogeneic (pig) skin. The healing process was monitored for 8 weeks. Macroscopic parameters were the itching behavior, the cosmetic appearance of the scars, and contraction. Microscopic parameters were the inflammatory response, myofibroblast influx, and the numbers of nerves. All wounds were closed on day 14 and wound infection did not occur. Treatment with SSD resulted in significantly more wound contraction compared to treatment with glycerol-preserved pig skin. Animals treated with SSD suffered more from itching (scratching) during the first 2 weeks after wounding. The number of nerves in healing wounds of these animals was significantly higher compared to wounds treated with hydrofiber dressing or allogeneic skin. In our standardized porcine partial-thickness wound model, treatment with SSD resulted in less favorable wound healing. Compared to treatment with glycerol-preserved allogeneic skin, SSD resulted in more contraction.