COMPARISON OF TOPICAL MAGNESIUM AND CALCIUM TREATMENT FOR DERMAL HYDROFLUORIC-ACID BURNS

Study objective: To compare topical preparations of magnesium and calc ium in the treatment of dermal hydrofluoric acid burns. Design: A rand omized, blinded, controlled animal model study. Setting: Animal care f acility. Type of participants: New Zealand rabbits. Interventions: Eac h rabbit was burned with hydrofluoric acid at four sites along the tho racolumbar spine. Equimolar amounts of calcium gluconate, magnesium gl uconate, and a magnesium hydroxide antacid were added into a lubricati ng jelly. The jelly alone was a control preparation. After a water rin se, the burns were massaged with the gels for 1 minute five times; at 4 and 20 minutes and at 1, 4, and 24 hours. Each rabbit served as its own-control by receiving all four treatments. Measurements and main re sults: Burn diameter and burn surface area diminished over time, but t here were no statistically significantly differences among the treatme nts. Burn ranking and burn rating of severity also did not demonstrate differences. The histologic analysis of the burns, however, demonstra ted that calcium gluconate-treated burns were less severe and more sup erficial than the control and magnesium gluconate-treated burns; the m agnesium hydroxide antacid-treated burns were not statistically differ ent compared to the calcium gluconate-treated burns. Conclusion: Topic al calcium gluconate is an efficacious treatment for dermal hydrofluor ic acid burns. Further research is needed to determine the role of mag nesium-containing antacids in the treatment of hydrofluoric acid burns .