III.             VII. SUMMARY

The use of silver as a potent topical antimicrobial has been well established, especially in the management of burn wounds. Recent evidence indicates that pure silver ions and radicals released from a pure nanocrystal silver delivery system have better antimicrobial properties, plus potential pro-healing and anti-inflammatory properties compared to currently used silver salts and silver complexes. The ability to rapidly release silver cations over a prolonged period required the development of nanocrystal technology wherein nanocrystalline silver could be deposited on a polyethylene mesh and used to delivery silver to burn wounds.

The massive surface area of exposed silver on nanocrystals provides the rapid and sustained release of both silver ion and silver radicals, the latter which may be more potent than silver ions. This silver delivery product has now been used and compared with other silver compounds in burns, donor sites and skin grafts and has been found to have superior properties.

The nanocrystalline silver has been found to be very versatile for burn wound care, while decreasing pain and wound manipulation induced complications.

Finally, this new approach to silver delivery is cost effective due in large part to the fewer dressing changes required and decreased nursing time with its use.

Overall, the experience using this new technology has been of significant benefit in burn wound management.