Quality Control study of Silver and Chlorohexidine Wound Dressings: A Comparison of Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Some Types Available in Middle East Medical Supply

Objectives: Antibacterial dressings are widely used to assist with management of infected wounds and those at risk of infection. However, such dressings have varied responses in clinical use due to technological differences in the nature of their antibacterial content and release and in properties of the dressings themselves. This study is focusing on two types of antibacterial dressings widely used in Middle East which are Chlorohexidine and Silver dressings. Methods: In this study we examined the physical and chemical parameters related to quality of the dressing for seven different product types of the two mentioned antibacterial dressings. Results: showed the relationship between the antibacterial content, rate of its release, and expected antibacterial action based on their reported minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). It also looked at other important measures for the clinical performance of dressings including fluid handling properties and dressing pH. Conclusion: the choice of an appropriate antibacterial dressing should be based on the wound type, condition and on clinically applicable measures, such as antibacterial, healing, and exudate handling effects, and not on any single laboratory parameter.