Silverlon® Burn Protocols

Note:  All Silverlon® Burn Dressings are designed for up to 7 day use subject to maintaining its silver surface area moist and clean.

* Optimal silver ions release rates from the surface of the dressing are achieved by keeping the Silverlon® dressing moist and free from exudate buildup.  Add water periodically to maintain moisture content and rinse off visible cellular debris from its surface when necessary.

* The effectiveness of the Silverlon® dressing is increased by overlapping the wound margins by 2 to 3 cm.

* Remove Silverlon® prior to X-Ray, CAT, or MRI procedures.

STCG Donor Sites

                The Silverlon® Burn Contact Dressing, properly moistened with sterile water, is applied directly to donor sites and covered with a polyurethane foam dressing (Allevyn, Biatain, Curafoam, Polymem, Lyofoam). The covering polyurethane foam dressing should maintain the proper moisture levels at the Silverlon® wound interface.  The Silverlon® Burn Contact and covering polyurethane foam dressing is secured in place with tubular stretch knit, compressive wrap or tape.  The Silverlon® Burn Contact may be left in place for up to 7 days depending on the wound exudate and cellular debris. 

STCG Graft Sites

            The Silverlon® Burn Contact Dressing, properly moistened with sterile water, is applied directly to graft sites and covered with polyurethane foam dressing (Allevyn, Biatain, Curafoam, Polymem, Lyofoam).  The covering polyurethane foam dressing should maintain the proper moisture levels at the Silverlon® wound interface.  A non adhering wound contact dressing such as Dermanent, Tegapore, Silon TSR or Mepitel may be placed between the wound surface and the Silverlon® Burn Contact if desired.  The Silverlon® Burn Contact and covering polyurethane foam dressing is secured in place with tubular stretch knit, compressive wrap or tape.   The Silverlon® Burn Contact may be left in place for up to 7 days depending on the wound exudate and cellular debris.

First Degree Digit and Hand Burns

                The Silverlon® Burn Glove, properly moistened with sterile water, is applied directly to the digits and hand.  The ends of the glove fingers may be cut to appropriate length.   A surgical latex glove (if the patient does not have a latex allergy) or elastic roll gauze is placed over the Silverlon® Burn Glove. If covered with elastic roll gauze moistening with sterile water every eight hours is required.  It is best to size the elastomeric surgical glove one size larger than the size that the patient would normally wear, providing a comfortable fit over the Silverlon® Burn Glove.  The Silverlon® Burn Glove is moistened every 12 hours and removed when the erythema resolves.

Second and Third Degree Digit and Hand Burns

                There are three options for burned hands and digits. The first option involves fabricating a digital wrap from the Silverlon® Burn Warp 4 x 66 inch by cutting a section of the wrap that is 2 inches by 10 inches and individually wrapping each digit.  The hand itself may be wrapped with a Silverlon® Burn Warp 4 x 66 inch by cutting a section of the wrap that is 4 inches by 33 inches and individually wrapping the palmar and dorsal aspects of the hand. The second option is to use the Silverlon® Tubular Stretch Knit by placing the tubular material over the affected digits and placing the hand in a Silverlon® Fingerless Burn Glove.  The third option is to apply the Silverlon® Burn Glove ( See Ag-Burn Glove Directions).  In each option, the Silverlon® fabric is moistened with sterile water, covered with elastic gauze rolls and held in place with a compressive wrap or tubular stretch knit.  The dressings are taken down daily and the wounds carefully examined.  The Silverlon® fabric can be reapplied if it is not covered with exudate and cellular debris.  If covered with exudates and cellular debris, under sterile conditions, the Silverlon® fabric can be rinsed with sterile water and re-applied.  Spraying the Silverlon® fabric with a wound cleanser may assists with the removal of the debris and exudate.  The Silverlon® is covered with with tubular stretch knit or compressive wrap (coban, ace wrap).  The Silverlon® fabric should be replaced between 2 and 7 days depending on the condition of its surface.

First Degree Burns in General

                The Silverlon® Burn Contact Dressing, properly moistened with sterile water, is applied directly to first degree burn site and covered with a polyurethane foam dressing (Allevyn, Biatain, Curafoam, Polymem, Lyofoam) or elastic roll gauze.  If covered with elastic roll gauze moistening with sterile water every eight hours is required.  The covering polyurethane foam dressing should maintain the proper moisture levels at the Silverlon® wound interface.  The Silverlon® Burn Contact with covering polyurethane foam or elastic roll gauze dressing is secured in place with tubular stretch knit, compressive wrap or tape.  The Silverlon® Burn Contact Dressing may be left in until the erythema resolves.

Superficial and Deep Partial Thickness and Full Thickness Burns in General

            The Silverlon® Burn Contact Dressing or Silverlon® Burn Wrap, properly moistened with sterile water, is applied directly to superficial and deep partial thickness and full thickness burns.  The Silverlon® is covered with a polyurethane foam dressing (Allevyn, Biatain, Curafoam, Polymem, Lyofoam). The covering polyurethane foam dressing should maintain the proper moisture levels at the Silverlon® wound interface.  The Silverlon® and covering polyurethane foam dressing is secured in place with tubular stretch knit, compressive wrap or tape.  The dressings are taken down daily and the wounds carefully examined. The Silverlon® can be reapplied if it is not covered with exudate and cellular debris.  If covered with exudate and cellular debris, under sterile conditions, the Silverlon® can be rinsed with sterile water and re-applied.  Spraying the Silverlon® fabric with a wound cleanser may assist with removal of the debris and exudate.  The Silverlon® is covered with elastic gauze and held in place with tubular stretch knit or compressive wrap (coban, ace wrap).  The silverlon® fabric should be replaced between 2 and 7 days depending on the condition of its surface. 

Contaminated Partial and Full Thickness Burns

                Prior to the application of STSG or dermal reconstruction dressings (e.g. Integra® Dermagraft®) on contaminated partial and full thickness burns, it is recommended that the microbial contamination in the wound bed be reduced by application of the Silverlon® Burn Contact Dressing or the Silverlon® Burn Wrap for 3 to 6 days.  In order to release the maximum amount of silver ions, the Silverlon®, properly moistened with sterile water, is applied directly to contaminated partial and full thickness burns.  The Silverlon® is covered with polyurethane foam dressing (Allevyn, Biatain, Curafoam, Polymem, Lyofoam) or elastic roll gauze.  If covered with elastic roll gauze, moistening with sterile water every eight hours is required. If covered with a polyurethane foam dressing, the dressing is moistened with sterile water as needed.  The Silverlon® with covering polyurethane foam dressing or roll gauze is secured in place with tubular stretch knit, compressive wrap or tape.  In wounds with a high bioburden, the Silverlon® and covering dressings are changed every one to two days until the contamination is reduced to levels that will permit STSG or dermal reconstruction dressings.

Use with Dermal Reconstruction Dressings (Integra®, Dermagraft®)

                The Silverlon® Burn Contact Dressing or Silverlon® Burn Wrap, properly moistened with sterile water is applied directly over dermal reconstruction dressing, is covered with polyurethane foam dressing (Allevyn, Biatain, Curafoam, Polymem, Lyofoam) or elastic roll gauze.  If covered with elastic roll gauze moistening with sterile water every eight hours is required.  If covered with a polyurethane foam dressing, the dressing is moistened with sterile water as needed.  The dressings are taken down daily and the condition of the dermal reconstruction dressing carefully examined.  If the dermal reconstruction dressing appears satisfactory, the silverlon® fabric can be reapplied if it is not covered with exudate and cellular debris.  If covered with exudate and cellular debris, under sterile conditions, the Silverlon® can be rinsed with sterile water and re-applied.  Spraying the Silverlon® fabric with a wound cleanser assists with removal of the debris and exudate.  The Silverlon® is covered with elastic gauze and held in place with tubular stretch knit. The silverlon® fabric should be replaced between 2 and 5 days.