Comparison between Topical Beta-Sitosterol and Topical Hirudin in Management of Facial Burns

Abstract

Background: Facial burns are challenging, as the aesthetic outcome is as important as the functional. Topical interventions are currently the cornerstone of treatment of facial burns. Although there is no gold standard agent for the treatment of facial burns, beta-sitosterol is the most commonly used as first line agent.Recombinant hirudin is an agent derived from medicinal leech and it has anti-thrombotic action, which is thought to have effect on facial burns healing.Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the effect of beta-sitosterol and hirudin in the management of facial burns regarding the pain, edema, healing time, and aesthetic outcome. Patients and Methods:A concurrent self-control open label clinical trial was conducted on fifteen patients attending the burn unit at Suez Canal University Hospital with facial burns. Visual Analogue Scale for pain to time, edema, hospitalization time, healing time, scarring by the patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS) and final aesthetic outcome.Expected Outcome: In patients with facial burns, the use of topical hirudin will reduce pain and edema; enhance faster healing and less hospitalization time, less scarring and better final aesthetic outcome. Conclusion:Topical hirudin use in facial burns is a safe and effective option as it showed statistically significant results regarding wound healing and final scar quality outcome that was better than topical beta-sitosterols. Although its effects regarding pain and edema showed no statically significant difference in comparison to topical beta-sitosterols, it should be considered as an effective safe option in the treatment of facial burns.