The purpose of these studies was to evaluate chitosan films impregnated with silver sulfadiazine as potential wound dressings, based on their mechanical properties and the controlled-release phenomenon. The mechanical properties of such films were investigated under varying plasticizers (glycerol or sorbitol) concentrations, as well as in the presence of a crosslinking agent (formaldehyde). The drug release was also determined under such varying conditions, as well as using different thicknesses of film and drug concentrations. The results showed that the additives decreased the tensile strength of the chitosan films (except for sorbitol at 20% w/w), while at the same time remarkably enhancing the percentage elongation of the films. This elongation was especially pronounced in the case of glycerol. The type of plasticizer also influenced the release of silver sulfadiazine. Glycerol had a greater effect than sorbitol on the release rate, regardless of the amount used, probably due to leakage of this additive from the film, which leaves pores that enhance the water uptake of the film. As might be expected, increased concentrations of entrapped silver sulfadiazine yielded increasingly higher release rates. Decrease in thickness of the film also enhanced the release rate. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.