Journal of burn care & research : official publication of the American Burn Association, 2019 (SCI-Expanded)
The purpose of this study was to assess clinical, functional and cosmetic outcomes of the use of hyaluronic acid-based wound dressings for partial-thickness facial burns. Patients with partial-thickness facial burns hospitalized at the Burn Center between April 2014 and April 2017 were evaluated. Data pertaining to demographic characteristics, etiology, and degree of burn and percentage of burn to TBSA were collected. Pain, infection rates, reapplication rates, length of hospital stay, duration of healing, and presence of scar formation were analyzed. Median percentage of burn to TBSA was 15% (interquartile range [IQR]: 9–20). Fifteen patients had only facial burns, while 39 patients had burns on other parts of the body in addition to the face. Nine patients had deep partial-thickness burns, while 45 had superficial partial-thickness burns. Median length of hospital stay was 7 days (IQR: 3–15) for the entire study population and 4 days (IQR: 2–7.5) for patients who had only facial burns. Median healing time was 9 days (IQR: 7–12). Fifty-one (94%) patients had a Vancouver Scar Scale score of zero at 6 months. Use of hyaluronic acid-based wound dressings for facial burns is an effective and safe option.