‘Magic Cream’-All treats, no tricks. The use of topical steroids for the treatment of hypergranulation tissue in burn wounds: A retrospective review

Abstract

Hypergranulation, also known as overgranulation, occurs when there is more granulation tissue than required to fill the wound bed and the depth of the wound surface [1]. The presence of hypergranulation tissue in burn injury is rare, but it can impede wound healing and contribute to hypertrophic scarring and contractures. Although silver nitrate cauterization, hypertonic saline, and topical corticosteroids have been used, there was little evidence that optimal hypergranulation tissue treatment for burns exists. The focus of this study was to assess the management of overgranulation tissue in an outpatient context using 'magic cream,' derived from the experience as a tertiary center in Malaysia. We did a retrospective analysis at the Hospital University Science Malaysia's Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department between 2017 and 2021. Forty-seven cases were treated for hypergranulation wounds out of 725 cases. This group of patients had superficial partial thickness to full-thickness dermal burns with a total body surface area (TBSA) ranging from 2 % to 50 %. All patients were educated on how to use 'Magic Cream,' a home-applied combination of topical hydrocortisone 1 % w/w cream and topical chloramphenicol 1 % w/w cream. The progress of the wound will be monitored closely by weekly inspection in our outpatient unit. All cases showed complete regression of hypergranulation tissue within 1 to 2 weeks without the treatment's local and systemic side effects.