Sustained silver-releasing dressing in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers

This study investigated the clinical performance and safety of a sustained silver-releasing foam dressing, Contreet Foam, in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Twenty-seven patients with diabetic foot ulcers of grade I or II (Wagner's classification) were followed for 6 weeks: 1 week run-in using Biatain dressings, 4 weeks' treatment with Contreet Foam non-adhesive dressing, and 1 week follow-up with Biatain dressings. Four ulcers healed during the 4-week treatment with Contreet Foam and the relative ulcer area was reduced by a mean of 56% or by 56% in average. Contreet Foam showed good exudate management properties and was considered easy to use. Only two infections occurred in study ulcers. An evaluation of non-study ulcers in the same patients showed that all six of the non-study ulcers developed an infection during the study. All ulcers (study ulcers as well as non-study ulcers) were treated according to good practice of diabetic wound care. There were no directions for the treatment of secondary wounds. No device-related adverse events were observed. This study demonstrated that Contreet Foam is safe and easy to use and effectively supports healing and good wound progress of diabetic foot ulcers.