The Effect of Silver-coated Dressing on Pain Management and Hospitalization Duration in Pediatric Partial-thickness Burns: A Retrospective, Matched Cohort Study

Objective. Daily burn wound dressing protocols elicit pain and anxiety, especially in pediatric burn patients. Novel dressing technologies reduce pain by obviating the need for frequent dressing changes. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of silver-coated dressings (SCDs) on pain management and outcomes in pediatric burn patients. Materials and Methods. A retrospective, matched cohort study compared a SCD to standard dressing protocols in admitted pediatric burn patients. Data were extracted from patient medical records. Multivariate analysis was performed to assess independent risk factors. Results. A total of 80 patients in both the control and SCD groups were matched for age (1-16 years), gender (60% males in both groups), and total body surface area (6.1% vs. 4.9%, P =.187). Mean hospitalization duration was shorter in the SCD group than the control (4.68 +/- 2.96 vs. 7.05 +/- 5.76 days, respectively, P =.023). Lower opiate administration and dressing change frequency were documented in the SCD group than the control (0.49 +/- 0.45 vs. 1.29 +/- 1.66 administrations/day, P =.004, respectively; 0.47 +/- 0.44 vs. 2.04 +/- 3.67 changes/day, P =.009, respectively). Conclusions. The SCD protocol led to a lower opiate consumption, fewer dressing changes, and shorter hospitalization duration than the standard dressing protocol. This should be considered when choosing appropriate topical therapies for pediatric burn patients regarding patient discomfort, nursing time resources, and hospital bed vacancy.