RecruitingNot Applicable

Comparing How Burn Wounds and Scars Heal in Children Using Chitosan and Silver Dressings

Slovenia40 participantsStarted 2025-07-21

Plain-language summary

Burns are among the most common types of trauma worldwide, ranking fourth after traffic accidents, falls, and violence, and account for an estimated 265,000 deaths annually (WHO). Most burn injuries result from heat exposure, though other causes include friction, chemicals, and electricity. Effective burn treatment aims to promote wound healing by supporting tissue regeneration and maintaining optimal conditions such as moisture, oxygenation, and low bacterial load. In Slovenia and across Europe, silver-based dressings are commonly used for burn care. While they are known to support wound healing, their effectiveness in reducing scar formation remains unclear. Chitosan-based hydrogels, by contrast, offer promising benefits due to their natural biocompatibility, antibacterial action, and support for tissue repair, though clinical data are still limited. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of chitosan-based and silver-based dressings in burn wound healing, focusing on healing time, scar formation, cost-efficiency, and patient experience. Scar outcomes will be assessed using the validated POSAS (Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale).

Who can participate

Age range

6 Months – 17 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Age between 6 months and 17 years old
. Having a first or second-degree superficial burn that does not require excision and grafting
. Patients with a burn of less than 20% of the total body surface area (TBSA)
. Admission within 72 hours of burn injury
. First line of therapy is Burnshield® Dressing for the first 48 hours
. Clean non-infected wound as diagnosed by the attending physician
. Informed consent of the patient or caregiver

Exclusion criteria

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Wound Healing Time

Timeframe: Up to 21 days

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06987981

SponsorMiloš Potkonjak

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-04-30

Contact for this trial

Miloš Potkonjak, MD, surgeon

+386 7 391 61 00 milos.potkonjak@sb-nm.si

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Burns Degree Second trials