Background: Third-degree burns and deep skin injuries resulting from surgical procedures often require extensive treatment and incur high medical costs. Silver sulfadiazine ointment is widely used during the wound healing process.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and potential risks of silver sulfadiazine in the treatment of open surgical wounds.
Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats (3 months old, 200–250 g) were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 10 each): control at baseline (Day 0), control at Day 14, and silver-treated at Day 14. Under sterile conditions and anesthesia induced by ketamine and xylazine at weight-adjusted doses, an 8 mm full-thickness dorsal skin wound was surgically created using a biopsy punch. The treatment group received topical application of 0.36 g silver sulfadiazine ointment directly on the wound site. This dose was considered pilot and was selected to ensure complete coverage of the surgically created 8 mm wound. Rats were housed in a controlled environment and monitored throughout the study. At the end of the experiment, on Day 14, the mice were anesthetized, and cardiac puncture was performed to collect blood samples for hematological evaluation.
Results: Seven rats in the treatment group developed severe infections and died before blood sampling could be performed. Skin discoloration ranging from pale to dark green indicated advanced infection. Only three rats survived to day 14, allowing hematological analysis. Significant alterations in blood parameters were observed, suggesting systemic effects of the ointment and infection.
Conclusion: High-dose application of silver sulfadiazine on open surgical wounds may lead to systemic toxicity, severe infection, and mortality in rats. These findings emphasize the need for cautious use of silver sulfadiazine in extensive wounds and warrant further investigation into safer alternatives and dose-dependent effects.