Octylcyanoacrylate for the Treatment of Small, Superficial, Partial-thickness Burns: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: Octylcyanoacrylate (OCA) is a tissue adhesive used to close wounds and to treat minor abrasions. Objective: To explore the use of OCA in patients with superficial, partial-thickness burns. Methods: A prospective, noncomparative, pilot study was conducted in an emergency department (ED) and burn center. Consecutive patients with early (,6 hours), small (,5% total body surface area [TBSA]), superficial, partial-thickness burns were enrolled. Burns were cleaned and any nonadherent necrotic epidermis was removed. Tense blisters were aseptically aspirated. Burns were then covered with a liquid OCA that was applied with a sponge brush. Pain of cleansing and OCA application was recorded, and physicians assessed ease of application. Burns were evaluated every one to two days until complete epithelialization for the presence of infection and exudation, and the OCA was reapplied as necessary. Main outcomes measured were the need for additional topical therapy, pain and ease of application, patient comfort, and satisfaction. Results: Ten patients were enrolled. Mean patient age (6 standard deviation [SD]) was 23 (616) years, four were female, and nine were white. Burns were located on the hands (5),

Assessment of microcirculatory influence on cellular morphology in human burn wound healing using reflectance‐mode‐confocal microscopy

“…Although promising, this technique so far has not been used for the evaluation of the course of wound healing in randomized clinical trials. Still the most common way to determine the healing of burn injuries is based on clinical parameters such as rate of reepithelialization, pain level, healing time, scar formation, and patient satisfaction 3–5 . This said, the need for an objective in vivo tool to assess the histomorphological features of wound healing becomes evident.…”

“…Enhanced knowledge of burn wound pathophysiology can improve treatment outcomes by reducing patient morbidity and mortality, rate of scar formation, and potentially reduce the healing times as well as the overall costs of burn‐specific wound management. Numerous studies have focused on the pathophysiology of burn wound healing 1–5 . However, the currently utilized observational methods assess the burn wound‐healing course mainly via evaluation of the microcirculation 6 .…”