Comparison of hydro-fiber silver dressing and 1% silver sulfadiazine dressing for treatment of pediatric burns.

Burn is a debilitating and devastating emergency with many physical and psychological sequelae. Essential steps in burn wound management include cleansing/wound debridement, application of topical antimicrobial and dressing of affected body areas. Objective of this study is comparison in effectiveness of Hydro-fiber Silver dressing and 1% silver sulfadiazine dressing in management of pediatric burn patients in terms of wound healing. After ethical approval, 264 patients were enrolled and divided into two groups. Patients were managed with hydro-fiber silver dressing in group A and 1% silver sulfadiazine dressing in group B. An experienced pediatric surgeon examined the wounds for re epithelialization and efficacy was labeled after 15 days. Out of 264 enrolled patients 148(56.06%) were males and 116(43.94%) were females. Mean age of patients was 3.73±2.34 years. Type of burn was Scald in 215(81.4%) patients and flame in 49(18.6%). Depth of burn was 2nd degree in 185(70.08%) patients and 3rd degree in 79(29.92%) patients. Mean TBSA was 19.93±9.62%. In group A the efficacy was achieved in 91(68.9%) patients whereas in group B the efficacy was achieved in 73(55.3%) patients (p-value<0.05). Hydro-fiber Silver dressing is significantly more efficacious as compared to 1% silver sulfadiazine dressing for treatment of pediatric burn.