Polymem vs. Bacitracin/Xeroform in Treating Burn Wounds

Plain-language summary

Patients will be screened at the initial visit to the burn center. If the patients are eligible according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria, consent for the study will be obtained. One of the investigators will identify two sites that appear to be the same depth on each patient \[1 site Polymen and 1 site bacitracin/xeroform )\]. The depth of injury will be verified as partial thickness using laser doppler. Each site will be at least 4cm x 4cm in size. One site will be identified for bacitracin/xeroform and one site for Polymen. All burns will be initially debrided and cleaned according to burn unit protocol. The dressing will then be applied. All dressings will be covered with cotton gauze and ace wraps. Laser Doppler will be utilized to determine burn depth at both the trial and control sites. On each subsequent visit, patients will rate the pain of the dressing change on a 1-10 pain intensity scale. It will be noted if the wound appears infected or if antibiotics are prescribed. The study will end for each patient when the investigator determines that 95% of their burn has re-epithelized.

Who can participate

What they're measuring

Trial details