Comparative Efficacy of Silver Sulfadiazine and Aquacel Ag in Superficial Partial Thickness Burn Treatment: A Retrospective Analysis

Background: Aquacel is a moisture-retentive topical dressing containing 1.2% w/w silver, referred to as Aquacel Ag, which has demonstrated safety and efficacy in the management of superficial partial-thickness burns. This dressing delivers silver over a continuous duration of up to two weeks, setting it apart from other silver delivery treatments being used for treatment of burns. Methods: This study included 50 patients with superficial partial-thickness burns who reported to the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery at SMS Hospital, Jaipur, from September 2023 to January 2024. This retrospective study compares the healing outcomes of Aquacel Ag and silver sulfadiazine SSD dressings in 50 patients with superficial partialthickness burns. Patients were randomly assigned to either the SSD or Aquacel Ag group. Results: The Aquacel Ag group demonstrated faster reepithelialization, reduced pain, and fewer dressing changes compared to the SSD group. The study highlights the benefits of Aquacel Ag in improving patient comfort and overall healing outcomes. Conclusion: This study is significant as it offers insights into optimizing burn care by comparing two widely used dressings, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing treatment complexities. Aquacel Ag reconciles multiple advantageous qualities for the treatment of partial-thickness burns, rendering it an efficacious choice for addressing superficial partial-thickness burn injuries. The dressing's prolonged silver release and moisture-retentive properties enhance its effectiveness in improving patient outcomes in burn treatment.