Tilapia skin: technological advance in the treatment of burns?

Abstract

Introduction: Burn is one of the greatest aggressions the body can suffer. The approach varies according to the degree of the burn, since the use of chlorhexidine, silver sulfadiazine, debridement of necrotic tissue, biosynthetic dressings and artificial skins. However, these latter two have high costs, so several studies have emerged with the objective of seeking more viable options, such as the use of Nile Tilapia skin in burns, due to its healing properties. That said, the present article has as a guide question: Is this new method, in fact, a technological advance as important for the treatment of burned patients as it appears to be? Objective: To analyze the use of Nile Tilapia skin in patients with burn injuries, as well as to compare with other pre-established techniques. Methods: This is an integrative bibliographic review with a qualitative approach. Data were collected through PubMed databases and Virtual Health Library (VHL), from 2015 to 2020. Results: The articles indicate a good prognosis to the use of Nile Tilapia skin in relation to the other options in force for the treatment of burns, with a significant advantage in reducing the number of dressings required, for better adhesion to the wound. Moreover, it presents microscopic characteristics similar to human skin, such as high tensile strength and breakage extension, reducing reepithelialization time and pain intensity, as well as reducing treatment costs. Conclusion: In view of the findings of the literature reported in the present review, it is concluded that studies with nile tilapia skin proves to be a revolutionary modality with benefits in the treatment of patients with superficial and deep skin lesions. Therefore, the researchers concluded, answering the guide question, that the new method is, yes, an important advance in the field of burn treatment, because it's employability is confirmed, besides demonstrating an advantage over some of the main preexisting alternatives.