Comparison of Long-Term Skin Quality and Scar Formation in Partial-Thickness Burn Wounds Treated with Suprathel(®) and epicite(hydro®) 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(®) and the new and cheaper dressing epicite(hydro®), 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(®) and epicite(hydro®) at present. Materials and Methods: In this study, the scar quality of 20 patients who had been treated with Suprathel(®) and epicite(hydro®) was objectively assessed using the Cutometer(®), Mexameter(®), and Tewameter(®), 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®) and the well-known wound-dressing Suprathel(®) resulted in stable wound closure and showed good cosmetic results in the follow-up examinations.