DERMAL SUBSTITUTE USAGE IN MANAGEMENT OF SEVERE FASCIOTOMY WOUNDS OF MAJOR BURN PATIENTS

Abstract

Introduction: After fasciotomy in severe burn patients, complications such as infection and fluid and electrolyte loss of the opened muscle tissue are very important problems. In the late period contractures and cosmetic problems are also other problems. To decrease these complications, we used Dermal Substitutes (DS) as muscle wound covering in the early period of fasciotomy lines. Twenty-seven severely burn patients who underwent Materials and Methods: extreme fasciotomy between May 2017 and March 2020 and aged between 9 and 64 years old (mean= 33± 5) were enrolled in this study. Burn wounds surface area was 25%–92% of TBSA with a mean surface of 47 ± 5 %. Seventy percent of the patients were exposed to inhalation injuries due to accident in a closed area. The mean surfac Results: e DSNevelia® applied fasciotomy line area was 203 ± 9 cm2. Total days of DS to integrate and mean duration time for the STSG acceptance was 21.2±2 days. There were two partial integration failures (%7). There was seen no adverse event due to Nevelia® usage. All patients were discharged with a mean recovery of 54 ± 6 days. This type of Discussion: DS is an effective weapon in the hands of a burn surgeon to reduce the possibility of infection, fluid and electrolyte loss and contracture after fasciotomy. Using skin equivalents in this way after fasciotomies also reduces secondary surgery and painful dressing rates.