Effectiveness of Amniotic Membrane Dressing Compared to Banana Leaves Dressing in Management of Partial Thickness Burn Wounds

Abstract

Context: Morbidity and mortality are higher for burn injuries in low- and middle-income countries. The treatment should be effective and cost-effective also for patients from these countries. Aims: To compare the outcome of Amniotic Membrane Dressing and Banana Leaves Dressing, in terms of pain during dressing change, comfort, recovery, hospital stay, complications and future need of skin grafting among partial thickness burn patients in Tertiary care centre Settings and design: Hospital based comparative study was carried out at Burn care unit of Tertiary care hospital of VilasraoDeshmukh Govt. Institute of Medical Sciences,Latur, Maharashtra, India. Methods and material: Hospital based comparative study was conducted among 50 cases with partial thickness burns. They were assigned in equal number of 25 each. One group received amniotic membrane dressing (AMD) while the other received banana leaf dressing (BLD). Statistical analysis: Mean scores of two group were compared with the help of independent t test. P value < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Most common cause of partial thickness burn was scalds contributing (42%). Total burn surface (TBSA) area was 16%-30% in 60% of cases. Both groups were comparable for age, sex and TBSA. Patients in AMD group had significantly less scores of pain during dressing removal, discomfort and significantly more scores for ease of dressing removal and less number of days for healing (p<0.05). Signs of infection and need for skin grafting was comparable in two groups. Conclusion: This study proved superiority of Amniotic Membrane Dressing (AMD) over Banana Leaves Dressing (BLD). Key messages: Amniotic Membrane Dressing should be used among partial thickness burn patients for good results Keywords: Effectiveness; Dressing; Amniotic membrane; Banana leaves; Burns.