Ref (type)	Population	Outcome, Interventions	Results and statistical analysis	Effect size	Favours
Healing
[46] Systematic review	147 people 2 RCTs in this analysis	Proportion of ulcers completely healed with dressings impregnated with silver with dressings not containing silver Absolute results not reported	RR 1.66 95% CI 0.68 to 4.05 P = 0.27		Not significant
[48] RCT	251 people	Proportion of responders (defined as people with a >20% reduction in ulcer area) at 28 days 104/129 (81%) with ethacridine lactate (0.1% solution) twice daily 69/122 (57%) with placebo	P <0.0001	Effect size not calculated	ethacridine lactate
[49] RCT	119 people	Proportion of people with completely healed ulcers 21/62 (34%) with 10% pale sulphonated shale oil 13/57 (23%) with vehicle (non-ionic gel)	P = 0.177		Not significant
[49] RCT	119 people	Reduction in ulcer area 72% with 10% pale sulphonated shale oil 19% with vehicle (non-ionic gel) Absolute numbers not reported	P <0.001	Effect size not calculated	pale sulphonated shale oil
[47] Systematic review	1188 people with leg wounds and ulcers 7 RCTs in this analysis	Complete wound healing 68/574 (12%) with silver impregnated dressing 52/544 (10%) with non-silver dressing	Risk difference for healing: +0.02 95% CI –0.01 to +0.06 P = 0.18		Not significant
[50] RCT	213 people with venous leg ulcers	Ulcers healed 12 months 95/107 (89%) with silver-donating dressings 90/106 (85%) with non-silver low-adherence dressings	RR 1.03 95% CI 0.51 to 2.08		Not significant