Moist exposed therapy of partial-thickness burn wounds. A multi-center study

In laser-induced partial-thickness burns of pig skin, moist exposed burn ointment (MEBO) produces a moist environment, allows drainage of exudates, reduces eschar formation, and accelerates debridement and wound healing. A prospective multi-center study was conducted to evaluate the effect of MEBO on the healing of partial-thickness burn wounds. We included 52 patients with 100 burn sites ranging from 0.5% to 15% total body surface area in the study. Treatment efficacy was assessed on physical examination of the wound, the course of time of trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and moisture values, bacterial wound colonization and the degree of pain experienced by patients during and between dressing changes. Using the Visual Analogue Thermometer device (VAT) a progressive decrease of pain was found throughout the treatment which was statistically significant at 6, 9 and 12 post-burn days. TEWL, as an indicator of re-epithelialization, demonstrated a decreasing trend on day 3, and the reduction became significant from the 6th post-burn day. Moisture was significantly decreased during the first 5 post-burn days. As re-epithelialization progressed there was a net decrease in moisture paralleling TEWL. After 1 week of MEBO treatment, bacterial wound colonization decreased to 10% in the immediate group and to 61% in the late group of application. By the second week, colonization dropped to 5% and 23% respectively. Topical ointment application contributed to the debridement of the wound bed facilitating rapid epithelialization within 2–6 days, depending on the burn depth. MEBO is an ointment that can effectively produce a moist and wet environment for optimal healing of partial-thickness burns.