Post-operative wound infections may result in delayed healing, extended hospital stay and increased costs. The increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria mitigates against the prophylactic use of antibiotics. An effective alternative is the use of antiseptics that are less likely to generate resistance. AMD™ wound dressings use polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) which has a low toxicity for wound cells and is effective in killing antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This paper reviews the evidence for the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of AMD dressings in the prevention of surgical site infections when routinely used in standard wound care protocols.
