Evaluating the impact of an anti-microbial silver-impregnated surgical dressing on wound infections and healing: A randomised clinical trial

Abstract

StopBac is an innovative silver-impregnated antimicrobial dressing specifically designed to reduce surgical site infections and enhance healing. The primary objective of this study was to compare infection healing rate at 30 days after surgery between primarily closed surgical wounds covered with StopBac and those covered with Cosmorpor, a standard surgical dressing. Between 1.3.2023 and 30.4.2023, we conducted a prospective screening of all patients undergoing surgical operations within a single surgical department. Patients were randomised into either the Cosmopor group or the StopBac group. Outcome measures were superficial and deep surgical site infections and healed wounds. Data concerning patient and surgical factors were prospectively collected and analysed. The analysis comprised 275 patients, divided into two groups: 140 patients in the StopBac group and 135 in the Cosmopor group. The StopBac dressing was associated with a reduced rate of infection, with an odds ratio of 0.288 (p < 0.001), and an increased likelihood of wound healing at 30 days after surgery. The odds ratio for healing at 30 days was 4.661 (p < 0.001). StopBac was associated with a lower incidence of surgical wound infections and a higher probability of healing at 30 days after surgery, when compared with standard dressing.