Treatment of partial-thickness burns: a prospective, randomized trial using Transcyte.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of three burns dressings (TransCyte, a bio-engineered skin substitute; Biobrane; and Silvazine cream (silver sulphadiazine and 0.2% chlorhexidine)), in treating children with partial-thickness burns. The primary objective was to determine the days until > or =90% re-epithelialization. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the number of wounds requiring autografting and the number of dressing changes/local wound care required.


METHODS
Study wounds were identified on each patient and the patients were randomized to receive TransCyte or Biobrane or Silvazine. Assessment of study wound closure began at 2 days after treatment and continued at least every other day thereafter until the wounds re-epithelialized or were autografted. A laser Doppler imaging system was used as an adjunct to assessing the depth of the burn.


RESULTS
Thirty-three patients with 58 wound sites enrolled in the study (TransCyte, n = 20, Biobrane, n = 17; Silvazine, n = 21). Mean time to re-epithelialization was 7.5 days for TransCyte, 9.5 days for Biobrane, and 11.2 days for Silvazine. The number of wounds requiring autografting were 5/21 (24%) for Silvazine, 3/17 (17%) for Biobrane, and 1/20 (5%) for TransCyte.


CONCLUSIONS
When used in partial-thickness burns in children, TransCyte promotes fastest re-epithelialization and required less overall dressings then Biobrane or Silvazine. Patients who received Silvazine or Biobrane require more autografting than those treated with TransCyte.
Stuart Pegg Burns Unit, Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. rohitjkumar@bigpond.com
Rohit J
RJ
Kumar
Roy M
RM
Kimble
Robert
R
Boots
Stuart P
SP
Pegg
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002056:Burns / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012837:Silver Sulfadiazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D017768:Skin, Artificial; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; C042816:Biobrane; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004338:Drug Combinations; D002710:Chlorhexidine; D012837:Silver Sulfadiazine