Effectiveness of 1% Silver Sulfadiazine with Zinc versus 1% Silver Sulfadiazine in Burn Wound Healing
Chartkitcharoen A, MD1, Muangman P, MD2, Chuntrasakul C, MD2, Kittidacha S, RN3, Ketmek A, RN3, Suiwongsa B, BSc4, Chinaroonchai K, MD2
Affiliation : 1 General Surgery Division, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand 2 Trauma Surgery Division, Surgical Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand 3 Burn Unit, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand 4 Pharmacist, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : 1% silver sulfadiazine (1%SSD) cream is a well-known topical antibiotic used for first- and superficial second-degree
burn wound treatment due to its good outcomes and reasonable price. Zinc (Zn) is an essential mineral in the cell proliferation
process.
Objective : The primary objective was to compare the efficacies of the 1%SSD-with-Zn and the standard formula burn wound
healing.
Materials and Methods : The present study was conducted as a prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial.
Results : Twenty-seven superficial second-degree wounds of non-major burn patients were randomized to 2 groups: 13 patients
were treated with 1%SSD-with-Zn, while 14 were treated with standard 1%SSD. In the group with wounds sized less than 100 cm2,
the complete healing days for the 1%SSD-with-Zn and control groups were 9 and 12 days, respectively (p-value = 0.193). For
wounds sized over 100 cm2, the complete healing days for the 1%SSD-with-Zn and control groups were 12 and 15 days (p-value =
0.307). The secondary outcomes of the groups (pain scores, infection complications, blood Zn levels, and wound swab cultures)
were not significantly different.
Conclusion : Although 1%SSD-with-Zn showed no statistical significance in burn wound healing compared with the standard
formula, it demonstrated a clinical trend towards treatment cost saving.
Keywords : Silver sulfadiazine cream, Silver sulfadiazine cream with zinc formula, Zinc, Burn wound healing
