title: A comparative study of 1% silver sulphadiazine (Flammazine®) versus an enzyme alginogel (Flaminal®) in the treatment of partial thickness burns.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the conservative treatment of burns, rapid wound healing is desirable to obtain good a esthetic and functional results. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of 1% Silversulfadiazine (SSD/Flammazine(®)) and an enzyme alginogel (Flaminal(®) or Flaminal(®) Forte) on the healing of superficial and intermediate partial thickness burns.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective cohort study comparable burn wounds treated with Flaminal(®) or with 1% SSD were included. Outcome parameters included: length of hospital stay, bacterial burden and time to wound closure. Significance was tested using SPSS package.
  
  
  RESULTS
  44 wounds in the Flaminal(®) group, and 39 wounds in the 1% SSD group were included. Wounds treated with Flaminal(®) showed a significantly higher bacterial load (p=0.024) and contained significantly more bacterial species (p=0.010) but showed a significantly shorter healing time of 17 vs. 24 days (p<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A significantly shorter healing time was demonstrated in partial thickness burn wounds treated with Flaminal(®) versus 1% SSD, which may lead to a shorter length of hospital stay and better scar quality. The possibility of accurate burn depth assessment and the results in this study corroborate the change in treatment protocol made in the year 2000 when we switched from 1% SSD to Flaminal(®).
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Burn Centre, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. henk.hoeksema@telenet.be
authors.forename: Henk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hoeksema
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vandekerckhove
authors.forename: Jozef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Verbelen
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heyneman
authors.forename: Stan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Monstrey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000464:Alginates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058491:Bacterial Load; D001458:Bandages; D002056:Burns / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012837:Silver Sulfadiazine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D005782:Gels; D012837:Silver Sulfadiazine
keywords: Burn wounds; Enzyme alginogel; Flaminal(®); Healing time; Scar; Silver sulphadiazine