Electron-microscopic observation on silver deposition in burn wounds treated with silver sulphadiazine cream

The absorption and distribution of silver has been studied in 8 burned patients treated with silver sulphadiazine cream by electron-microscopic examination. Biopsies were taken from the burn wounds and from epithelized areas surrounding wounds. Only 1 to 2 patients treated for 12 days was observed to have silver deposits in the cytoplasm of both the epidermal cells and sweat glands. The silver deposits appeared as roughly round and oval bodies of varied size. The results indicated that very little of the silver moiety in silver sulphadiazine cream penetrated the body through the wound.