A systematic review and meta-analysis of dressings used for wound healing: the efficiency of honey compared to silver on burns
Contemp Nurse. 2015 Oct-Dec;51(2-3):121-34.
doi: 10.1080/10376178.2016.1171727.
Epub 2016 Apr 18.
Authors
Terese Lindberg 1, Oscar Andersson 1, Molina Palm 1, Cecilia Fagerström 1
Affiliation
●1a Department of Health, Faculty of Health Science , Blekinge Institute of Technology , SE-371 79 Karlskrona , Sweden.
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PMID:
27027667
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DOI:
10.1080/10376178.2016.1171727
Abstract
Background:
Honey has the antibacterial effect of silver without the toxic effect of silver on the skin. Even so, silver is the dominant antibacterial dressing used in wound healing.
Objectives:
To evaluate the healing effects of honey dressings compared to silver dressings for acute or chronic wounds.
Design:
A systematic review with meta-analysis.
Method:
The search, conducted in seven databases, resulted in six randomised controlled trial studies from South Asia focusing on antibacterial properties and healing times of honey and silver.
Result:
Honey was more efficacious for wound healing than silver, as measured in the number of days needed for wounds to heal (pooled risk difference -20, 95% CI -0.29 to -0.11, p < .001). Honey turned out to have more antibacterial qualities than silver.
Conclusion:
All the included studies based on burns showed the unequivocal result that honey had an even more positive effect than silver on wound healing.
Keywords:
antibacterial dressing; burns; honey; silver; wound healing.
Publication types
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Meta-Analysis
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Review
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Systematic Review
MeSH terms
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Honey*
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Humans
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Silver / administration & dosage*
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Wound Healing*
Substances
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Silver