Abstract
Objective
Previous studies have shown that silver formulations coated onto implantable materials retard bacterial colonization and reduce the incidence of catheter-related infections. The objective of this study was to assess the histologic effects of sputter-coated silverl silicone implants on host tissue.
Design
Sputter silver-coated silicone peritoneal dialysis catheter segments with and without Dacron cuffs were implanted in the subcutaneous fat and muscle in 4 pigs. Noncoated implants served as controls. The specimens were retrieved at 1,2,3,4,7,8,9,10,12, and 27 weeks.
Experimental Animals
Four 6-week-old male Yorkshire Land race pigs (5–6 kg) were used.
Main Outcome Measures
Histologic parameters evaluated included the degree of inflammation, the number of giant cells, the extent of silver particulate inclusions, and the thickness of the capsules. All specimens were evaluated by a single blinded pathologist. Microbiologic analyses were also performed.
Results
The silver-coated catheters were associated with less inflammation than were the noncoated catheters, both infatand muscle (p=0.04). The number of giant cells was also lower around the silver-coated than the noncoated catheters, which were implanted in subcutaneous fat (p < 0.05). Particulate inclusions compatible with silver or silver oxide were observed only in tissue around silvercoated implants (p < 0.0001). The thickness of the capsules and the extent of the inflammatory zones were not significantly different. There was no evidence of infection-related changes.
Conclusions
These data suggest that the sputter silver coating does not act as a significant tissue irritant.
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