Shivani Aggarwala^{1, 2}, Sarah Robert¹, Megan Brady¹, Mario D’Souza², James Doherty^1,2, Varun Harish¹, Sepher Lajevardi¹, Peter Haertsch^{1, 2}, Peter Maitz^{1, 2}, Andrea C Issler-Fisher¹

¹Burns Unit, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Hospital Rd, Concord NSW 2139, Australia

²University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006

Improvements in technology and marked progression in our understanding of wound healing has promoted an enormous expansion in the range of dressing options available to treat partial thickness burns.  The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of four routinely used dressings – Biobrane®, Acticoat®, Mepilex® Ag and Aquacel® Ag – for the management of partial thickness burn injuries.

A randomized controlled trial was initiated in June 2013 at the burns outpatient clinic of Concord Repatriation General Hospital.  Patients aged 18 to 65 years who presented within 72 hours post injury, and with clinically diagnosed partial thickness burn that could be managed in the outpatient setting were included in this study.  Patients were excluded if they were diabetic, presented with full thickness burn, signs of infection, or if they had burns resulting from an electrical or chemical injury. Patients were also excluded if the burns involved specific anatomical locations such as the eyelids, ears, lips or genitalia.

The primary objective was to determine the days until wound closure (≥90% re-epithelialization). Additionally, the number of dressing changes required, pain, the incidence of infection and scarring was assessed. Patients were followed up at 3 and 6 months to further evaluate scarring.

At the time of presentation, the data collection will be completed and results hereof will be presented.

Biography:

Dr Shivani Aggarwala is medical graduate from the University of Sydney. She is currently working as a surgical SRMO at Concord Burns Unit. She has a keen interest in burns and reconstructive surgery.