From the Guidelines
Xeroform does have antibacterial properties, but its effectiveness is not conclusively established due to the low-quality evidence available. The study by 1 found no statistically significant difference in infection rate for the silver sulfadiazine wet dressings compared with the dry Xeroform dressing, suggesting that Xeroform may not be as effective in preventing infection as other antibacterial agents. However, Xeroform is a petrolatum-based dressing that contains 3% bismuth tribromophenate, which provides its antimicrobial activity. This dressing is commonly used in wound care to help prevent infection while maintaining a moist healing environment.
- The bismuth compound works by disrupting bacterial cell membranes and inhibiting bacterial growth, making it effective against many common wound pathogens.
- Xeroform is available as gauze sheets in various sizes and is typically applied directly to wounds such as abrasions, lacerations, donor sites, partial-thickness burns, and other superficial wounds.
- The dressing should be changed every 24-48 hours or as directed by a healthcare provider, depending on the amount of wound drainage. While Xeroform provides antibacterial protection, it's essential to note that it's not a substitute for proper wound cleaning or systemic antibiotics when indicated for more serious infections, as suggested by the low-quality evidence from 1. The dressing is generally well-tolerated, though some patients may experience sensitivity to bismuth compounds.
From the Research
Xeroform and Antibacterial Properties
- Xeroform is a petrolatum-based fine mesh gauze containing 3% bismuth tribromophenate, which has antimicrobial properties 2.
- However, studies have shown that Xeroform dressings do not exhibit significant antibacterial activity against common burn pathogens, including MRSA, MSSA, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 2, 3.
- In contrast, bismuth subsalicylate and bismuth tribromophenate unbound to Xeroform have demonstrated antimicrobial activity against certain bacterial strains 2.
Comparison with Other Dressings
- Xeroform has been compared to other nonadherent antimicrobial dressings, such as Inadine and Aqvidine, which contain povidone iodine and have shown significantly larger zones of inhibition against bacterial strains 3.
- Bactigras, which contains chlorhexidine acetate, has also been compared to Xeroform and has shown similar antibacterial efficacy 3.
Clinical Applications
- Xeroform has been used as a dressing for skin grafts and has been shown to promote wound healing and minimize nursing time 4.
- However, its use as a dressing for skin grafts may be more related to its impervious properties rather than its antimicrobial effects 2.
- Xeroform has also been proposed as a cost-effective alternative to synthetic skin grafts for second-intention healing 5.