Materials and Method:

In study group, 2 mL of silver nitrate solution was taken in a syringe after cleaning the wound with distilled water, drying it with sterile gauze and then the silver nitrate solution (SilverStream) was sprinkled over the wound surface. After this, the wound was covered with gauze soaked with silver nitrate solution (SilverStream), whereas in control group dressing was done by 50% w/v povidone-iodine solution. Dressings were done and followed every alternate day for 14 days. Size of ulcers was measured weekly. Wound culture was done on day 1 and on day 14, observed side effect (local and systemic) were documented.

The results obtained were statistically evaluated and compared on following points.

1. Effect of silver nitrate solution on bacterial load in the wound.
2. Rate of granulation tissue formation.
3. No. of days required for healing.
4. Skin graft uptake.
5. Side effect of topical silver nitrate dressing.

Variables were compared using the chi-square t-test and ‘p’ value was obtained and found to be significant.

Results:

Among 100 study subjects, 50 were taken as control group and 50 as study group. The granulation tissue formation on 14th day was 95% in study group and 82% in control group. Successful skin graft uptake was 94% in study group and 80% in control group. Hospital stay in study group was 25.6 ± 3.4 days and 35.3 ± 7.2 days. Pus culture sensitivity test on day 14 was positive in 6 cases in study group and 12 cases in control group. The results are summarized in the following table:

A prospective comparative study was conducted at MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, Odisha, India.