Biobrane versus 1% silver sulfadiazine in second-degree pediatric burns

Partial-thickness burns in children have been treated for many years by dai ly, painful rubbing, washing, and cleansing of the burn wound, followed by topical application of antimicrobial creams. Pain and impaired wound healin g are the main problems. We hypothesized that the treatment of second-degre e burns with Biobrane is superior to topical treatment. Twenty pediatric patients were prospectively randomized in two groups to co mpare the efficacy of Biobrane versus 1% silver sulfadiazine. The rest of t he routine clinical protocols were followed in both groups. Demographic dat a, wound healing time, length of hospital stay, pain assessments and pain m edication requirements, and infection were analyzed and compared. Main outc ome measures included pain, pain medication requirements, wound healing tim e, length of hospital stay, and infection. The application of Biobrane to partial-thickness burns proved to be superio r to the topical treatment. Patients included in the biosynthetic temporary cover group presented with less pain and required less pain medication. Le ngth of hospital stay and wound healing time were also significantly shorte r in the Biobrane group. None of the patients in either group presented wit h wound infection or needed skill autografting. In conclusion, the treatment of partial-thickness burns with Biobrane is su perior to topical therapy with 1% silver sulfadiazine. Pain, pain medicatio n requirements, wound healing time, and length of hospital stay are signifi cantly reduced.