Using 5% Sulfamylon Solution for War Wounds
Author Information
Author(s): Kucan John O. MD, FACS, Heggers John P. PhD
Primary Institution: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch and Shriners Hospitals for Children
Hypothesis
Can 5% Sulfamylon Solution effectively treat Acinetobacter baumannii-contaminated traumatic war wounds?
Conclusion
5% Sulfamylon Solution is a highly effective antibacterial agent for treating contaminated war wounds and should replace normal saline in current treatment protocols.
Supporting Evidence
- 5% Sulfamylon Solution showed significantly greater antibacterial activity than 1% silver sulfadiazine cream.
- Normal saline has no antibacterial activity and cannot control bacterial growth in open wounds.
- Topical antibacterial agents are underappreciated in nonburn wound management.
Takeaway
This study found that a special solution called 5% Sulfamylon is really good at fighting germs in war wounds, better than regular saline.
Methodology
A standardized antimicrobial susceptibility study was conducted using 43 strains of A baumannii tested against 1% silver sulfadiazine cream and 5% mafenide acetate solution.
Participant Demographics
Service members injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P = .05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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