Using a Foam Silver Dressing to Promote Healing of a Mixed Aetiology Leg Ulcer

Chronic leg ulceration is a problem that affects a significant number of people and costs the health care system millions of dollars per year [1]. To achieve optimal outcomes for the person with a chronic wound, the treatment must identify and address local and systemic factors that can impair healing. Wound bed preparation is recognised as the foundation for effective management of the chronic wound. Wound bed preparation considers the elements of the chronic wound environment that contribute to delayed healing. One component of wound bed preparation is reduction of high wound bioburden. Silver has been used in various forms for centuries as an anti-microbial agent. In recent years, the delivery of silver for wound management has been refined and improved and ionic silver released in a controlled manner onto the wound has been found to be an efficacious treatment for high wound bioburden. This case study illustrates the need to address systemic and local factors to achieve optimal wound healing outcomes. In particular, the efficacy of a foam dressing which releases silver (Contreet [TM] foam) is evaluated as part of a leg ulcer management regime.