An open study comparing topical silver sulfadiazine and topical silver sulfadiazine-cerium nitrate in the treatment of moderate and severe burns

Burns. 2001 Feb;27(1):67-74. doi: 10.1016/s0305-4179(00)00061-9.

Abstract

Sixty patients with moderate and severe burns were randomly assigned to receive topical silver sulfadiazine (SSD) alone (n=30) or SSD combined with cerium nitrate (SSD-CN) (n=30). There were four deaths in the SSD group and one in the SSD-CN group; more patients with higher risk severity survived in the SSD-CN group. Wound infection did not differ significantly between the groups. The rate of re-epithelialization of partial thickness burns was faster by 8 days in the SSD-CN group. The relatively dry shell-like eschar of the SSD-CN-treated burn allowed planned excisions with immediate autologous grafting and the tissue beneath was ready to accept grafting 11 days earlier than in the SSD group (p=0.03). This resulted in a significantly shorter hospital stay for those in the SSD-CN group than in the SSD group (23.3 vs. 30.7 days; p=0.03) with consequent cost savings. A higher incidence of transient stinging pain was reported with application of SSD-CN, but this was effectively managed with analgesics where necessary. The results of this study confirm the greater efficacy of SSD-CN in the treatment of burns patients.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local / administration & dosage*
  • Burns / drug therapy*
  • Burns / mortality
  • Burns / surgery
  • Cerium / administration & dosage*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Dropouts
  • Silver Sulfadiazine / administration & dosage*
  • Skin Transplantation
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Wound Healing / drug effects
  • Wound Infection / prevention & control

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local
  • cerium nitrate
  • Cerium
  • Silver Sulfadiazine