Comparison of Long-Term Skin Quality and Scar Formation in Partial-Thickness Burn Wounds Treated with Suprathel (R) and epicite(hydro)(R) Wound Dressings

Background and Objectives: Scar formation after burn trauma has a significant impact on the quality of life of burn patients. Hypertrophic scars or keloids can be very distressing to patients due to potential pain, functional limitations, or hyper- or hypopigmentation. In a previous study comparing Suprathel (R) and the new and cheaper dressing epicite(hydro)(R), we were able to show that pain reduction, exudation, and time until wound-healing of partial-thickness burn wounds were similar, without any documented infections. No study exists that objectively measures and compares skin and scar quality after treatment with Suprathel (R) and epicite(hydro)(R) at present. Materials and Methods: In this study, the scar quality of 20 patients who had been treated with Suprathel (R) and epicite(hydro)(R) was objectively assessed using the Cutometer (R) , Mexameter (R) , and Tewameter (R) , as well as subjectively with the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale, 3, 6, and 12 months after burn injury. Results: In all performed measurements, no significant differences were detected in scar formation after treatment of partial-thickness burn wounds with the two dressings. Conclusions: Both the newer and less expensive wound-dressing epicite(hydro)(R) and the well-known wound-dressing Suprathel (R) resulted in stable wound closure and showed good cosmetic results in the follow-up examinations.