Mrs Sharon Rowe¹

¹Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Australia, ²Burn Service WA, Perth, Australia

Abstract:

Introduction
Diabetic patients often have reduced sensation to their lower limbs resulting in increased risk of lower limb burns and delayed recognition of the burn injury.

Burn injury in diabetic patients frequently results in chronic wounds with complex lengthy inpatient admissions. Vascular pathology, poor general health, post-operative complication risks increase inpatient length of stay.

Non-surgical debridement can provide a treatment option for full thickness burns in diabetic patients. Nexobrid is a new generation proteolytic enzyme enriched in bromelain and may provide a non-surgical alternative for these patients.

Aim
The aim of this project was to determine the impact of Nexobrid use in diabetic foot burns on time to heal and inpatient length of stay.

Method
Three complex diabetic patients were admitted to Fiona Stanley Burns Unit in 2021 following full thickness burns to their feet. Once review for contraindications was complete, Nexobrid was applied to the eschar as per protocol.

Results
All three patients completely healed within three months. Two healed without surgery and one had a SSG. Inpatient length of stay was 3-4 days once Nexobrid applied.

Conclusions
The application of Nexobrid reduced inpatient stay and time of healing for these patients.

Biography:

Sharon is the CNC for the State Adult Burns Unit in WA. The state adult burn unit comprises an inpatient ward, outpatient clinic and community outreach service. Sharon is the winner of the 2021 Excellence in Rural and Remote Health care award for WA.
Sharon coordinates the metropolitan, rural & remote education program for WA and has a particular interest in support of rural, remote and corrective services clinicians.