OBJECTIVETo investigate the change in silver metabolism after the application of nanometer silver on burn wound.

METHODSTwenty-six burn patients with partial thickness burn covering 6-12% TBSA were enrolled in the study as treatment group (T), and 30 healthy adult volunteers as control group (C). Burn wound covering 5% TBSA was covered with nanometer silver dressing for 5 days. The silver contents in the serum and urine in C group of people and in T group of patients at different time points before and after the application of nanometer silver were measured by atomic absorption spectrum method. The hepatic and renal function was also monitored on the 7th and 14th post treatment days (PTD) after silver application. Tissue samples from the wound and wound edge 14 days after silver application were harvested for the determination of silver content by plumbago stove and atomic absorption spectrum. The silver deposition was also detected by transmission electronic microscope.

RESULTSCompared to those in C group, the silver contents in serum and urine in T group increased on 3rd and 5th PTD, but decreased to the normal level on 14th PTD. Mild hepatic dysfunction occurred in 7 cases on 7 PTD, whereas the renal function remained normal. The tissue mass percentage of silver in burn wound and wound edge was (0.7 +/- 0.1) x 10(-6), but no silver deposition in tissue was observed by transmission electron microscope.

CONCLUSIONIt was proved to be safe to have the nanometer silver dressing applied on partial thickness burn wound of middle and small areas.