A Prospective Interventional Study on the Clinical Effectiveness of Foam dressing with silver Versus Povidone–Iodine–Soaked Gauze in Patient Wound Management

Abstract

Aim: To compare the clinical outcomes of Foam dressing with silver and Povidone–Iodine–Soaked Gauze dressing in wound
management
Material and Method: A prospective randomized interventional study was conducted in Department of General Surgery at JLN
Medical College and Hospital, Ajmer, from May 2024 to September 2025, involving 40 patients aged 15–70 years with open surgical
or traumatic wounds. Participants were randomly assigned by lottery method to receive either Foam dressing with silver or povidone–
iodine gauze dressing. Dressing was changed every third day for up to four weeks or until complete healing. The main outcomes
include pain reduction , wound size reduction, exudate control, granulation tissue quality, and any adverse reactions. Group I (n=20):
patients with wounds subjected to foam dressing containing silver application. Group II (n=20): patients with wounds subjected to
Povidone iodine- soaked gauze application
Results: During dressing removal, mean VAS pain scores dropped by 41% (from 8.85 to 5.25) in the Foam dressing with silver
group and by 24% (from 8.25 to 6.35) in the povidone–iodine group compared to the prestudy dressings. Similarly, pain scores at 2
weeks decreased by 88% (from 5.25 to 0.6) with Foam dressing with silver, and by 29% (from 6.35 to 4.55) with povidone–iodine
gauze dressing.
Wound evaluation scores showed comparable baseline values between groups, but Foam dressing with silver achieved significantly
greater improvement over time. By the fourth week, wounds treated with Foam dressing with silver achieved near-complete resolution,
with an average score of 1.00 ± 0.00, significantly lower than the Povidone-Iodine group’s score of 1.40 ± 0.81 (P < 0.05)
The mean wound surface area was 174.71 cm² in the Foam dressing with silver group and 222.75cm² in the Povidone-Iodine group,
statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). However, over the 4-week period, progressive reductions in surface area were observed in both
groups,. By week 4, the mean surface area was reduced to 100.58cm² in the Foam dressing with silver and 98.43cm² in the Povidone-
Iodine group, statistically non significant (P > 0.05). This shows almost similar wound contraction and epithelial coverage in both groups.
This study ensured demographic parity in age and gender, eliminating potential confounding factors. The mean age and gender
distribution between groups were statistically insignificant (P > 0.05), supporting the reliability of the comparative outcomes.
Randomized group assignment via lottery method also strengthened internal validity.
Conclusion: Clinically, Foam dressing with silver accelerates healing, reduces complications, and lessens healthcare burdens by
minimizing dressing frequency. It integrates antimicrobial action, moisture regulation, debridement, and granulation support into one
dressing, addressing multiple wound-healing factors.