Polymem vs. Bacitracin/Xeroform in Treating Burn Wounds

Summary

Patients will be screened at the initial visit to the burn center. If the patients are eligible according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria, consent for the study will be obtained. One of the investigators will identify two sites that appear to be the same depth on each patient \[1 site Polymen and 1 site bacitracin/xeroform )\]. The depth of injury will be verified as partial thickness using laser doppler. Each site will be at least 4cm x 4cm in size. One site will be identified for bacitracin/xeroform and one site for Polymen. All burns will be initially debrided and cleaned according to burn unit protocol. The dressing will then be applied. All dressings will be covered with cotton gauze and ace wraps. Laser Doppler will be utilized to determine burn depth at both the trial and control sites. On each subsequent visit, patients will rate the pain of the dressing change on a 1-10 pain intensity scale. It will be noted if the wound appears infected or if antibiotics are prescribed. The study will end for each patient when the investigator determines that 95% of their burn has re-epithelized.

Timeline

Start

2006-10

Primary completion

2008-12

Completion

2008-12

Publications

• Background Carr RD, Lalagos DE. Clinical evaluation of a polymeric membrane dressing in the treatment of pressure ulcers. Decubitus. 1990 Aug;3(3):38-42.
• Background Agren MS, Mertz PM, Franzen L. A comparative study of three occlusive dressings in the treatment of full-thickness wounds in pigs. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1997 Jan;36(1):53-8. doi: 10.1016/s0190-9622(97)70325-6.
• Background Fowler E, Papen JC. Clinical evaluation of a polymeric membrane dressing in the treatment of dermal ulcers. Ostomy Wound Manage. 1991 Jul-Aug;35:35-8, 40-4. No abstract available.
• Background Blackman JD, Senseng D, Quinn L, Mazzone T. Clinical evaluation of a semipermeable polymeric membrane dressing for the treatment of chronic diabetic foot ulcers. Diabetes Care. 1994 Apr;17(4):322-5. doi: 10.2337/diacare.17.4.322.

Drugs

Indications

No indication recorded.