gms | German Medical Science

Acticoat^®, a nanocrystalline silver dressing, is proven to be effective as first-line therapy in the management of skin burns by promoting wound healing and reducing inflammation and infection. But Acticoat^® dressings have to be placed very carefully, since a sustained release of the naonocrystalline silver provides for the antimicrobial effect. Correct placement of Acticoat^® can not easily be assured on acral sites like fingers or toes. We therefore developed a technique to design a perfectly fitting glove.

We used Acticoat^® dressings in two patients with a second degree burn of the hands. We first took two sheets of Acticoat^®, made holes for all fingers and then put the sheets either on the palmar or dorsal side over the fingers to protect the palm or the dorsum of the hand. Thereafter we adapted small sheets of Acticoat^® for each finger and after winding each around one finger fixed them with clips. After that the whole hand was provided with linen pads which were moisturized three times a day. The dressings were changed all three days, in total for four times. The healing in these patients was restitutio ad integrum without any adverse events.

In our opinion burns at acral sites should be provided with a careful dressing. One possibility could the above explained designing of individual gloves.