Effectiveness of Suprathel® application in partial thickness burns, frostbites and Lyell syndrome treatment

Abstract

The skin is the largest organ of the human body consisting of several layers possessing different properties and performing different physiological functions. The loss of skin integrity caused by a trauma or disease may provoke acute physiological and immune disorders that may even be fatal. The following properties are primarily taken into account when choosing the appropriate burn wound dressing: support of the epithelialisation process, pain and patient discomfort reduction, and treatment costs. THE AIM OF THE STUDY was to assess the usefulness of Suprathel in the treatment of partial-thickness burns and frostbites and Lyell's syndrome and to determine the preferable time of Suprathel application to the wound.

Material and methods: At The Eastern Poland Burn Treatment and Reconstructive Surgery Centre, Suprathel was used in 21 patients: 11 men and 4 women with wound burns, 5 men with frostbites and 1 woman with Lyell's syndrome. Dressings were applied within 96 hours of injury.

Results: Treatment results depended on the time of Suprathel application to the wound and on the type of injury. Among 9 partial-thickness burn patients treated within 24 h of injury, the epithelialisation time was up to 14 days in 7 patients and up to 21 days in 1 patient, and skin grafting was necessary in 1 patient. In one of the 2 partial-thickness burn patients treated on the second day after injury, the epithelialisation time was 21 days, and skin grafting was necessary in the other of these 2 patients. Among 4 partial-thickness burn patients treated on the second day after the injury, the epithelialisation time was 21 days in 2 patients and skin grafting was necessary in 2 patients. Among the 5 frostbite patients, the epithelialisation time was up to 14 days in 3 patients and up to 21 days in 2 patients. In 1 patient with Lyell's syndrome, the epithelialisation time was 21 days.

Conclusions: Suprathel is a good dressing that can perform the function of a temporary epidermal substitute in partial-thickness burns and frostbites and in Lyell's syndrome. The dressing should be applied within 24 hours of injury, when there is the least exudate from the wound and the wound is not infected. Therapeutic effectiveness of Suprathel decreases along with a delay of its application to the burn wound and with increasing burn depth.