Topical steroids in burn patients: A systematic review of the literature and a descriptive analysis of topical KENACOMB use at a major tertiary burn centre

BACKGROUND: Topical steroids are used widely to manage excessive inflammation and hypergranulation in burns; however, their use is controversial, and current evidence is largely anecdotal. Topical KENACOMB is a steroid preparation consisting of triamcinolone acetonide, neomycin, gramicidin, and nystatin, and it is standard of care at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital burns unit. To our knowledge, there is no published literature that reports the use of KENACOMB to treat wound-associated inflammation and hypergranulation. OBJECTIVE: To synthesise current evidence surrounding the efficacy and safety of topical steroid use in treating inflammation and hypergranulation in burns patients. We also describe the use of topical KENACOMB in our burns unit. METHODS: A systematic review of PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases was performed. Articles published in English that reported the use of topical steroids for granulation tissue or inflammation in burn wounds or skin graft donor sites were included. RESULTS: We identified 350 articles, of which six met inclusion criteria. Four studies presented primary patient data, and two studies reported the results of surveys of burns unit professionals. A total of 54 patients were included across all studies, and no control group was reported in any study. Studies reported rapid improvements in healing, with 86.6%–100% of wounds showing complete reepithelialisation following treatment. Reported adverse outcomes included skin thinning, atrophy of granulation tissue, systemic side effects, and local wound infection. CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights the paucity of conclusive evidence on the outcomes of topical steroids in treating inflammation and hypergranulation in burns and donor sites. While KENACOMB has shown efficacy in treating these wound types in our local experience, there is limited research available on the product. There is a clear need for quality research on the use of topical steroids in burns patients to better inform its ongoing clinical use.