Comparison of the outcome of amnion versus conventional (Vaseline-impregnated gauze) dressing in superficial partial thickness burn patients in terms of healing time and mean pain.

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the healing time and mean pain score of Amnion versus Conventional (Vaseline-impregnated gauze) dressing in superficial partial thickness burn patients. Study Design: Randomized controlled study. Settings: Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Department, Jinnah Hospital & Burn Center, Lahore. Period: January 2018 to January 2019. Material & Methods: A total of 60 patients with superficial second degree burns full filling the inclusion criteria were recruited for the study. Subjects were divided into two groups randomly. All patients were followed up regularly and dressing was changed on alternate days in Group B (Vaseline-impregnated gauze) and only secondary dressing was changed in Group A (amnion) until the auto sloughage (self-removal) of amnion. Outcome variables i.e. pain during first dressing change and healing time were noted. Statistical analysis of data was done using SPSS version 22. Quantitative variables i.e. age, duration of burn, total body surface area, pain during dressing and healing time were presented as mean and standard deviation. Frequency and percentage was calculated for qualitative variables like gender. The pain during dressing change and healing time of both groups were compared for difference. Student’t’ test was applied to compare the outcome and p-value ≤0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Out of sixty cases, 18 (30.0%) were females and 42 (70.0%) were males, with female to male ratio of 1:2.3. Mean age of patients in group A was 33.0 ± 10.19 years and in group B was 33.73 ± 9.55 years. The mean pain score in group A (amnion group) was 1.93 ± 0.91 and in group B (Vaseline-impregnated gauze) was 3.33 ± 1.56 with p-value of 0.0001. The mean healing time in group A (amnion group) was 15.73 ± 2.79 days and in group B (Vaseline-impregnated gauze) was 22.80 ± 4.44 days with p-value of 0.0001. Conclusion: Amnion dressing in superficial partial thickness burn patients is more effective in terms of mean pain score and healing time as compared to conventional (Vaseline-impregnated gauze) dressing.