title: [Clinical observation of the long-term effects of rhEGF on deep partial-thickness burn wounds].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety and long-term effect of recombinant human epithelial growth factor (rhEGF) on deep partial-thickness burn wounds.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-seven burn patients were enrolled in this study and were observed by randomized, double-blinded and placebo-controlled protocol. An area of deep partial-thickness burn wounds from each patient was divided into control (C) and treatment (T) portions. The wound in C was treated with normal saline while that in T with rhEGF. The patients were followed-up for 1 and 4 years after wound healing. The healed wounds were evaluated by modified Vancouver scar scale in terms of scar index (SI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  1 year after wound healing, it was found that the SI in T group (7.19 +/- 1.67) was obviously lower than that in C group (8.92 +/- 1.78, P < 0.01). The SI in T group (6.12 +/- 1.54) was still evidently lower than that in C group (8.09 +/- 1.81, P < 0.01) four years after wound healing. There were no signs of development of tumor or cancer in all the tested burn wound areas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  External application of rhEGF might be beneficial to the healing quality of deep partial-thickness burn wound with less scar formation and better long-term effects, and it is safe.
authors.affiliation: Department of Burns, Changhai Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, PR China.
authors.forename: Guang-yi
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zhao-fan
authors.initials: ZF
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: Shi-hui
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Hong-tai
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Jing-ning
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Huan
authors.forename: Yu-lin
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Sheng-de
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Ge
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor