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Role of Silver Alginate Dressings on Split Skin Graft Site to Prevent Post-operative Infection

Ravi Kumar Chittoria, Geetankshi Gopal Ghabru, Amrutha J S

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Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

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RFP Indian Journal of Hospital Infection 2(2):p 59-62, July-December 2025. | DOI: NA

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Received : July 20, 2025         Accepted : October 13, 2025          Published : December 25, 2025

Abstract

Burn injuries can be devastating, not only causing physical pain and trauma but also increasing the risk of infections, which can further complicate the healing process. Therefore, finding effective methods to prevent postoperative infections is crucial for the successful treatment of burn patients. In this study we consider the effectiveness of silver containing alginate dressings for deep partial thickness burns in a patient with accidental thermal burns. Silver alginate dressings consist of a combination of silver and sodium alginate, a natural polysaccharide derived from seaweed. The silver in it has antimicrobial properties, making it an ideal choice for preventing infection. The dressings are available in various forms, such as sheets, dressings, and ropes, allowing for versatile usage in wound care management. They are able to maintain a moist environment as well as prevents wound infection. They are found to be useful in various conditions including burn wound, skin graft donor site and other conditions like pressure injuries. Silver alginate dressings are highly effective in managing burn wounds due to their unique combination of antimicrobial and wound-healing properties. The alginate interacts with wound exudate to form a gel, maintaining a moist wound environment that promotes tissue regeneration, while the silver provides broad-spectrum antimicrobial action, preventing infections caused by bacteria, fungi, and even antibiotic-resistant pathogens like MRSA. In burn care, silver alginate dressings are particularly beneficial for partial-thickness burns (second-degree burns) and donor sites after skin grafting. They are highly absorbent, making them suitable for burns with moderate to heavy exudate, while reducing the risk of maceration in surrounding skin. The gel formation also minimizes pain during dressing changes, as it prevents adhesion to the wound bed.


References

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Data Sharing Statement

There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.

Funding

This research received no funding.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.

Ethics Declaration

This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.

Conflicts of Interest

No conflicts of interest in this work.


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Licence:

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


Received Accepted Published
July 20, 2025 October 13, 2025 December 25, 2025

DOI: NA

Keywords

SilverAlginatesSSG siteDonor sitePost-op infection

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Received July 20, 2025
Accepted October 13, 2025
Published December 25, 2025

licence


Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


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