Cooling the burn wound: evaluation of different modalites

A study was undertaken to investigate the cooling and healing effect of dif ferent modalities: Melaleuca Alternifolia Hydrogel (Levtrade international (Pty) Ltd.) was compared with lap water as a coolant following application onto a fresh deep partial thickness hot water burn in a porcine model. Four identical circular scalds were created on the backs of 10 pigs. One wound was not treated and served as a control. The other 3 wounds were either coo led with tap water (15 degrees C) or had Melaleuca Hydrogel dressing applie d immediately, or after a 30 min delay. Intradermal temperatures were monit ored in all wounds: preburn, during the burn and at regular intervals for 1 h, The wounds were biopsied for histological assessment. These samples wer e repeated at 24 h and 3 weeks, The mean decrease in final temperature at 1 h was in comparison to the preburn temperature: control + 0.44 degrees C ( i.e. a temperature increase); water -7.82 degrees C; Melaleuca Hydrogel -3. 87 degrees C; Melaleuca Hydrogel after 30 min delay -2.67 degrees C. Clinic al and histological assessment at 21 days indicated more rapid healing in b oth the Melaleuca Hydrogel and water-cooled burns compared with the untreat ed controls. Effective cooling of the burn wound and an increased rate of wound healing was achieved by both repeated tap water compresses and by immediate or dela yed application of Melaleuca Hydrogel. Cooling is an effective means to red uce tissue damage and increase wound healing. 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd and ISBI, All rights reserved.