Effect of silver‐containing hydrofiber dressing on burn wound healing: A meta‐analysis and systematic review

Abstract Background Silver sulfadiazine is commonly used to treat local burn wounds. Aquacel‐Ag is a hydrogen fiber dressing containing ionic silver that reduces burn wound infection and promotes antimicrobial activity. It is necessary to compare the efficacy of the two in the healing of burns. Aims The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the effect of Aquacel‐Ag on burn wound healing. Methods A computerized search of CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, SinoMed, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMbase, Science Direct, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, and Open Access Library databases was performed from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2021 for randomized controlled clinical trials. The trials on Aquacel‐Ag dressing and silver sulfadiazine in the treatment of burns were selected. Meta‐analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.0 software. Results Eleven articles were finally included, with 794 burn patients. Meta‐analysis results showed that compared with patients treated with silver sulfadiazine, burn patients treated with Aquacel‐Ag dressing had shorter wound healing time [MD = −2.49, 95% CI (−5.64–0.65), p = 0.12], significantly lower tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) level [MD = −0.52, 95% CI (−0.82–0.22), p = 0.0008], higher wound healing rate [MD = 8.41, 95% CI (3.39–13.43), p = 0.001], fewer dressing changes [MD = −3.27, 95% CI (−4.90–1.63), p < 0.0001]. Conclusion Aquacel‐Ag dressing can shorten wound healing time and effectively reduce inflammatory reactions in burn patients compared with silver sulfadiazine, but their safety still needs further exploration and analysis.