title: A Pilot Study of the Efficacy of Active Leptospermum Honey for the Treatment of Partial-Thickness Facial Burns.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Research suggests that active Leptospermum honey (ALH) improves outcomes in patients with partial-thickness burns by enhancing healing and reepithelialization rates, as well as by protecting against antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. This study assessed the effectiveness of ALH gel on healing time, bacterial growth, patient satisfaction, and cost of treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-arm, prospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven patients (aged 7-64 years) with partial-thickness facial burns were recruited from a northeastern US burn center.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients cleansed their wounds daily with soap and water, after which they applied ALH gel.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three physicians independently rated healing using wound photography and daily tests for the presence of exudate. Wound cultures on days 1 and 7 (±2 days) assessed bacterial growth. Patients completed a satisfaction survey at the end of treatment, and cost of treatment was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Healing time ranged from 3 to 14 days (mean, 8.1 days). Wound cultures revealed normal bacterial growth on days 1 and 7 for all patients. Patients rated ALH gel favorably, with the most common complaint of stickiness in 5 patients. One patient experienced transient burning on application that did not interrupt treatment. Average hospital-based cost of treatment was $26.15 per patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Healing time was congruent with or better than what would have been expected with standard treatment. Furthermore, despite no antibiotic treatment, wound culture results yielded no abnormal bacterial growth. Finally, patients overall reported satisfaction with treatment. The findings of this study suggest that ALH is a clinically and economically valuable treatment for partial-thickness facial burns.
authors.affiliation: Christina L. Duncan, PhD, is Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, and is a Consulting Psychologist, West Penn Hospital Burn Center, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Paul T. Enlow, MS, is a Graduate Research Assistant and Clinical Psychology Extern, Department of Psychology, West Virginia University. Margo M. Szabo, MS, is a Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Psychology, West Virginia University. Eric Tolchin, PA-C, is a Physician Assistant, Allegheny Health Network. Robert W. Kelly, MD, and Lourdes Castanon, MD, are Attending Physicians, Allegheny Health Network. Ariel M. Aballay, MD, is the Medical Director, WestPenn Hospital Burn Center, Allegheny Health Network.
authors.forename: Christina L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Paul T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Enlow
authors.forename: Margo M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Szabo
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tolchin
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Lourdes
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Castanon
authors.forename: Ariel M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Aballay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006722:Honey; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D031649:Leptospermum; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult