title: Biobrane: a retrospective analysis of outcomes at a specialist adult burns centre.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study is a retrospective analysis of 168 adult burns patients who received definitive treatment for partial thickness burns with Biobrane at a specialist burns centre. Our aim was to establish whether Biobrane served as a reliable, definitive treatment option or whether further treatment and allocation of surgical and nursing resources was required after application.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective two year chart review (January 1 2007 and December 31 2008) of patients admitted to the Victorian Adult Burns Service, in Melbourne, Australia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Use of Biobrane was associated with the need for further treatment interventions in a total of 74 patients (44%). Of these, Biobrane failure was found to be associated with infection in 28 cases (37.8%) and 48 (65%) patients underwent further surgery. A total of 87 patients (52%) had burns that took greater than three weeks from the time of injury to full re-epithelisation. Factors found to be associated with Biobrane failure were female gender, increasing percentage surface area of Biobrane application and when Biobrane was used in conjunction with split skin grafting to another area.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The application of Biobrane to burns of mid-dermal or 'indeterminate' depth in our institution has resulted in high rates of return to theatre, positive wound cultures and delayed healing, and the recognition of the need to re-conceptualise the principles of use of this product. The use of Biobrane in smaller mid dermal or mixed depth burns may lead to increased operations and use of other hospital resources, without clear evidence of improved outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Victorian Adult Burns Service and Department of Surgery, Monash University, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. dan@hubik.com
authors.forename: Daniel John
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hubik
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wasiak
authors.forename: Eldho
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cleland
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002056:Burns / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D009779:Occlusive Dressings; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014945:Wound Healing; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: C042816:Biobrane; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible