The use of a chitosan dressing with silver in the management of paediatric burn wounds: a pilot study.

Publication/Presentation Date

4-1-2017

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Traditional burn dressings demonstrate unfavourable tendencies of shrinking when wet and failing to maintain their integrity when manipulated. To overcome these obstacles, gel-forming fibre dressings have emerged as an alternative. Our objective was to observe the clinical properties and healing ability in the setting of burn wounds in a paediatric centre of a chitosan-based dressing containing silver.

METHODS: A sample of 12 partial-thickness burns in 10 children were identified for treatment with the chitosan-based silver dressing. The dressings were moistened before application, and monitored for any shrinkage on application. Patients were monitored for healing at outpatient follow-up visits and the dressings were allowed to separate as healing occurred.

RESULTS: We treated 12 burns in 10 children with an average age of 5.2 years. The burns had an average proportion of total body surface area (TBSA) of 3.6 % and involved the trunk and all extremities. Wounds healed mostly or completely in an average of 8.3 days. Dressings retained their size when wet and integrity when removed. No burns were found to be infected at any point in the study.

CONCLUSIONS: The chitosan-based dressing offered an optimal environment for moist wound management, and did not demonstrate the shrinkage or disintegration that diminishes the clinical usability of widely used hydrofibre dressings. The burns healed within an expected period of time, and did not undergo any infectious processes. Based on the results of this pilot study, the chitosan-based silver dressing is deserving of further study as an alternative to traditional burn dressings.

Volume

26

Issue

sup4

First Page

26

Last Page

26

ISSN

0969-0700

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Pediatrics

PubMedID

28379104

Department(s)

Department of Pediatrics, Department of Surgery

Document Type

Article

Share

COinS