The feasibility of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy versus Standard Dressings in Paediatric Hand and Foot Burns: A Pilot, Single-Centre, Randomised Control Trial

Emma Lumsden¹,
¹Queensland Children’s Hospital , South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
²Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland , Australia
³Centre for Children’s Health Research, South Brisbane, Queensland , Australia

Abstract

Introduction: The goal of paediatric hand and foot burn management is hypertrophic scar and/or contracture prevention. The risk of scar formation may be minimised by integrating Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) as an acute care adjunct as it decreases the time to re-epithelialisation. NPWT has known associated therapeutic burden; however, this burden is hypothesised to be outweighed by an increased likelihood of hypertrophic scar prevention. This study assesses the feasibility, acceptability and safety of NPWT in paediatric hand and foot burns with secondary outcomes of time to re-epithelialisation, pain, itch, cost and scar formation.
Methods and analysis: This was a single site, pilot randomised control trial. Participants were aged ≤16-years, otherwise well and managed within 24hours of sustaining either a hand or foot burn. Thirty participants were randomised to either standard care (Mepitel® – a silicone wound interface contact dressing – and ACTICOAT™ – a nanocrystalline silver-impregnated dressing) or standard care plus NPWT. Patients were reviewed until three months post burn wound re-epithelialisation, with measurements taken at dressing changes to assess primary and secondary outcomes. Surveys, randomisation and data storage were done via online platforms and physical data storage collated at the Centre for Children’s Health Research, Brisbane, Australia. Analysis was performed using Stata statistical software.
Results: Data collection has just finished. Results will be available at the time of the conference.
Ethics: Queensland Health and Griffith University Human Research ethics approval including a site-specific assessment was obtained.
Registration and Details: Registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12622000044729, https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=381890&isReview=true, registered 17/01/2022).

Biography

Dr Emma Lumsden is currently a Principal House Officer in general surgery at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. She is completing her PhD with Griffith University under the supervision of Professor Roy Kimble, Professor Robert Ware and Associate Professor Bronwyn Griffin.