Design and Testing of an Experimental Steam-Induced Burn Model in Rats

BACKGROUND: Most of the current models for experimental burns pose difficulties in ensuring consistency and standardization. AIM OF STUDY: We aimed to develop an automated, reproducible technique for experimental burns using steam-based heat transfer. METHODS: The system developed for steam exposure was based on a novel, integrated, computer-controlled design. Three groups of rats were exposed to steam for 1, 3, and 7 seconds. The lesions were evaluated after 20 minutes, 48 hours, and 72 hours after burn induction. RESULTS: One-second steam application produced a superficial second-degree burn; three-second application induced deep second-degree burn; and seven-second application led to a third-degree burn. CONCLUSION: The high level of automation of our integrated, computer-controlled system makes the difference between our system and other models, by ensuring the control of the duration of exposure, temperature, and pressure and eliminating as many potential human generated errors as possible. The automated system can accurately reproduce specific types of burns, according to histological assessment. This model could generate the reproducible data needed in the study of burn pathology and in order to assess new treatments.