Patients with partial-thickness facial burns admitted in the burn unit, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt in the period from April 2009 to December 2009 were included in this study. They were divided into two groups to receive either open treatment with MEBOup>庐up> (n = 20) or coverage with Aquacelup>庐up> Ag (n = 20). Demographics (age, gender, ethnicity, TBSA, burn areas), length of hospital stay (LOS), rate of infections, time to total healing, frequency of dressing changes, pain, cost benefit and patient discomfort were compared between the two groups. The long-term outcome (incidence of hypertrophic scarring) was assessed for up to 6 months follow-up period.
There were no significant differences in demographics between the two groups. In the group treated with the Aquacelup>庐up> Ag, the mean time for re-epithelialization was 10.5 days, while it was 12.4 days in the MEBOup>庐up> group (p < 0.05). Frequency of changes, pain and patient discomfort were less with Aquacelup>庐up> Ag. Cost was of no significant difference between the two groups. Scar quality improved in the Aquacelup>庐up> Ag treatment group. Three and 6 months follow-up was done and long-term outcomes were recorded in both groups.
Moist occlusive dressing (Aquacelup>庐up> Ag) significantly improves the management and healing rate of partial thickness facial burns with better long-term outcome compared to moist open dressing (MEBOup>庐up>).