Prospective, randomized study of the efficacy of Mepitel on children with partial-thickness scalds

Abstract

We performed a randomized clinical trial in which children with partial-thickness scald burns of less than 15% total body surface area were assigned treatment with either Mepitel (Mölnlycke Health Care) or silver sulfadiazine. Data were collected on time to wound healing, pain at dressing change, infection, and resource use. Student's t and chi-square tests were used to determine differences in the two groups. Healing times were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Wounds of children treated with Mepitel healed significantly faster than did controls' (p < 0.001), exhibited less eschar formation (p < 0.05), and experienced less pain at dressing change (p < 0.05). They also had significantly lower mean daily hospital charges ($1937 vs $2316; p = 0.025); as well as significantly lower charges for dressing changes and narcotics. There was no significant difference in wound infection. We believe the use of Mepitel represents a significant advance in the treatment of partial-thickness scald wounds in children.