gms | German Medical Science

Full-thickness burns are a challenge that will have a direct impact on the quality of life of the patient, cost benefit for the hospital and a surgical goal; Dermal regenerators and cadaveric skin are the best options; However, in our country, the availability of one of both is practically null. Accidentally we found that one of the benefits of Epicitehidro (non-woven 3D network biopolymer of pure Nano-cellulose fibers) was to maintain a humid environment That is why we present the experience in a Children Burn Unit with Epicitehydro, in patients with full thickness burns to the wound bed preparation after skin resection.

Materials and Methods: Patients with a full thickness areas, who were made fascio-cutaneous or full cutaneous scarectomy (It was performed in the first 48 hours after the burn with clinically determining that the burn was of full thickness) and applied the Epicitehydro, (second dressing was bactigras, changed every 2 days); after 7 days removed the Epicitehydro and evaluate if the characteristics of the wound allowed to place autografts.

Results: 17 patients, age between 7 and 17 years. There were 11 boys and 6 girls. TBSA involvement varied between 20 to 35%, with full thickness areas between 5 to 10%; etiology was fire in all the patients. There were no infections, Pain with VAS 1-3; had good adherence; no side effects, no changes of Epicitehydro were necessary and after 7 days the wound was ready to undergo to graft.

Conclusions: Someone Hospitals in Low-income countries have a big problem with the immediate availability of cadaver skin or dermal regenerator for patients with full thickness burns. That’s why the use of this new Nano-cellulose dressing that promotes the wound bed preparation has been an excellent option. We are working now in a prospective and comparative study to conclude and give us demonstration of the real benefit of this dressing.