Management of Pediatric Superficial Partial-Thickness Burns with Polyhexamethylene Biguanide: Outcomes and Influencing Factors

Abstract

Background: In burn care, achieving swift healing with minimal complications remains paramount. This investigation assesses the role of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) in managing pediatric superficial partial-thickness burns, focusing on the effects of various patient-specific factors on recovery. Methods: Through a retrospective analysis of 27 pediatric cases treated with PHMB, we evaluated the impact of age, burn size, dressing frequency, treatment delay, cold therapy application, and analgesic usage on the time until reepithelialization (TTRE). Results: The majority of patients benefited from early cold therapy, yet only 1 in 3 patients received analgesics. A mean healing time of 8.78 (SD: 2.64) days was observed, with the extent of the burn showing a strong correlation (r: 0.63) to TTRE. Most treatments were managed outpatient, evidenced by a negligible average hospital stay (0.96 days), with recorded no complications. Conclusions: Our findings endorse PHMB as a promising treatment for superficial second-degree burns in young patients, due to the observed stable and rapid wound closure without the association of increased risks. Continued exploration into the optimal application of prehospital interventions and the comprehensive benefits of PHMB in pediatric burn management is necessary. Future research should assess long-term outcomes, including functionality, scar quality, and patient satisfaction.

Keywords: PHMB; Polyhexamethylen Biguanide; Polyhexanide; burn; child; partial-thickness; pediatric; second-degree.

Figure 1

Age distribution of pediatric II/1 burns. A trendline shows the predicted age allotment over the measured ones visualized by the histogram.

Figure 2

Etiology of pediatric II/1 burns (mechanism, n, %). Hot liquids were predominantly water-based.

Figure 3

Distribution of pediatric II/1 burns (region, n, %). Primarily, the upper extremity was involved.

Figure 4

TTRE of pediatric II/1 burns treated with PHMB. The bimodal trendline illustrates the predicted TTRE distribution over the measured ones shown on the histogram.

Figure 5

(A) Dorsal view of a II/1 hot liquid injury on the left forearm and hand of a 9-year-old boy after bullectomy in sedation. Control examination a week later shows complete, complication-free wound closure from dorsal (B) and radial aspects (C).