负压伤口治疗技术用于53例慢性伤口的效果评价

目的 评价负压伤口治疗技术用于各类慢性伤口的效果.方法 入选Ⅳ度压疮、外伤伤口、术后切口和糖尿病足溃疡共计53例69处,清创后采用一致性操作流程和- 125mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133kPa)负压及间歇吸引模式治疗21d,有手术指征者转外科治疗,无手术指征者按标准湿性疗法治疗至愈合.观察治疗7d、14d、21d后伤口面积、深度、温度、pH值变化及100％肉芽覆盖时间和治愈率.结果 负压封闭辅助闭合(VAC)治疗后伤口治愈率78.26％(54/69),平均愈合时间(94.00±63.26)d,其中30例43处伤口负压治疗结束后继续接受湿性疗法治愈,10例11处伤口负压治疗结束后转外科手术治愈.12例负压治疗好转后回家继续治疗,随访5个月,愈合5例5处.总治愈率85.51％(59/69).负压治疗4类慢性伤口21d时的伤口温度较治疗前明显升高,pH值明显降低,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.01);100％肉芽覆盖时间平均为(22.96±12.20)d.结论 VAC治疗对不同类型慢性伤口均有效,能够营造有利于伤口愈合的温度和酸碱度,促进肉芽组织生长和伤口收缩及愈合.     

持续性封闭式负压引流装置用于皮肤移植术的临床疗效

目的观察持续性封闭式负压引流装置(VAC)用于皮肤移植术的临床疗效,评判其价值。方法选择68例需要进行皮肤移植手术的患者进行VAC辅助治疗,采用随机数字表的方法将之分为治疗组(34例)与对照组(34例)。两组植皮后,对照组常规外用碘伏清洗、油纱包扎处理,治疗组使用VAC辅助治疗。10~14 d后,对比两组临床疗效。结果治疗组植皮后总成活率、上皮化程度、创面细菌抑制率均高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);住院时间及术后并发症发生率较对照组较低,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 VAC可提高烧伤后残余创面植皮成活率,促进创面的愈合。     

Cultured epidermal autograft and the treatment of the massive burn injury.

As a rule, adult and pediatric patients with thermal injuries that involve more than 90% total body surface area (TBSA) burn have poor prognoses. Even for patients who are 5 to 34 years old with a 70% TBSA burn, the mortality rate is 80%. Lack of autologous donor skin, which is essential for permanent wound closure, is the major problem. Recent advances in growth of cultured epidermal autograft (CEA) have allowed closure of full- and partial-thickness burns; in approximately 3 weeks, a 2 cm2 biopsy specimen will produce enough CEA to cover a pediatric patient. Since 1989, we have used this product on nine patients; the average age was 39, and the average TBSA burn was 70% (range, 44% to 93%). We report our approach to use of CEA in six of these patients, including topical applications of 1% silver sulfadiazine and excision of full- and deep partial-thickness wounds within 2 weeks of injury. Temporary closure was achieved with cadaver allograft. "Take" of the allograft forecasted take of CEA. The total operative time of CEA placement was decreased by a two-step technique that obviates repeating debridement: the technique consists of debriding and grafting with allograft, then removing it at the time of CEA placement. CEA take is best on early granulation tissue or freshly excised wounds. Early excision of burn eschar, temporary wound closure with cadaveric allograft and Biobrane (Winthrop Pharmaceuticals, Wound Care Div., Fountain Valley, Calif.), and permanent closure with CEA may improve survival rates among patients with massive burn wounds. CEA is a tremendous asset to the management of massive burn injuries.     

封闭负压引流技术对加速慢性创面愈合的机制

摘要:目的研究封闭负压引流技术对人慢性创面中活性形式明胶酶(活性MMP-2、活性MMP-9)的影响。方法对5例慢性创面患者给予创面封闭负压引流(-120mmHg压力)150d,分别于吸引前和吸引后24h、3、5、10、15d收集创面渗出液。另以10例乳腺癌切除术后第3天的创面引流液为急性创面对照。用Zymography法测明胶酶活性,并用薄层分析仪分析试验结果。结果封闭负压引流治疗前,1例的活性MMP-2和另1例的活性MMP-9较对照组高,两例的活性形式明胶酶总活性(两种酶活性之和)较对照组活性高。封闭负压引流治疗后,慢性创面渗出液中活性MMP-2、活性MMP-9及活性形式明胶酶总活性与对照组比较无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论人慢性创面中活性形式明胶酶的活性过低或活性过高均可能是慢性创面长期不愈的原因,封闭负压引流能调节慢性创面中活性形式明胶酶的活性。     

Herpes simplex infection in a minor burn wound: a case report

The etiology of herpetic lesions on burn wounds generally is believed to be a reactivation of previous infection or possible exposure to the pathogens under an immunocompromised status. However, this scenario rarely happens in a non-immunocompromised infant with low burned body surface area (<4% TBSA). We report a case of previously healthy 21-month-old boy who sustained minor scald burn injury involving only 4% TBSA that was complicated with herpes simplex type 1 viral infection. The infection presented with ulcerative burn wound and delayed wound healing. The Tzanck smear of vesicular fluid for the identification of multinucleated giant cells is helpful in making the decision for the early initiation of acyclovir. In this work, we describe a case of pediatric burn patient with herpetic infection and emphasize the need for careful and impartial examination of the child to improve the accuracy of diagnosis.     

小鼠烫伤创面区域巨噬细胞集落刺激因子表达的变化

目的：通过应用逆转录多聚酶链式反应（RT-PCR）及巢式多聚酶链式反应（Nest-PCR）技术，研究创面区域巨噬细胞集落刺激因子（M-CSF）mRNA的表达情况，探求创面区域M-CSF水平升高的来源。方法：清洁级无特异病原体C57BL/6小鼠18只，随机分为烫伤组（n=9）及假烫组（n=9），烫伤组造成20％TBSAIII度烫伤。分别于烫伤后第1、10天取创面区域组织及相应背部皮肤，抽提组织总RNA。RT-PCR及Nest-PCR产物经2％琼脂糖电泳，溴化乙锭染色、紫外灯下照相，密度分析软件分析密度。结果：在烫伤后第1天创面组织中几乎检测不到M-CSFmRNA的表达，而在烫伤后第10天创面组织中的M-CSFmRNA明显高于假烫组。结论：结合组织学检查结果，我们推测创面区域M-CSF表达的升高可能与创面局部的成纤维细胞、内皮细胞有关。     

The 1999 clinical research award. Cultured skin substitutes combined with Integra Artificial Skin to replace native skin autograft and allograft for the closure of excised full-thickness burns

Prompt and permanent closure of excised full-thickness burns remains a critical factor in a patient's recovery from massive burn injuries. Hypothetically, Integra Artificial Skin (Integra) may replace the need for allografts for immediate wound coverage, and cultured skin substitutes (CSS) that contain stratified epithelium may replace the need for autografts for definitive wound closure. To test this hypothesis, 3 patients with full-thickness burns of greater than 60% of their total body surface areas had their eschar excised within 14 days of admission. Integra was applied, and a skin biopsy was collected from each patient for the preparation of CSS. At 3 weeks or more after the application of the Integra and the collection of skin biopsies, the outer silastic cover of the Integra was removed and CSS were grafted. The CSS were irrigated with nutrients and antimicrobials for 6 days and then dressed with antimicrobial ointment and cotton gauze. Treated wounds were traced on days 14 and 28 after the grafting of CSS for determination of engraftment and wound closure, respectively. Cost analysis was not performed. Engraftment on postoperative day (POD) 14 was 98%+/-1% (mean +/- standard error of the mean), the ratio of closed:donor areas on POD 28 was 52.3+/-5.2, and no treated sites required regrafting. The histology of the closed wounds showed stable epithelium that covered a layer of newly formed fibrovascular tissue above the reticulated structure of the degrading Integra. The clinical outcomes of the closed wounds after POD 28 demonstrated smooth, pliable, and hypopigmented skin. Two patients who had received CSS grafts over Integra on their backs were positioned supine on air beds from POD 8 or POD 9 with minimal graft loss because of mechanical loading. One patient with a full-thickness burn of 88% of the total body surface area was covered definitively at 55 days postburn. These results demonstrate that the combination of CSS and Integra can accomplish functionally stable and cosmetically acceptable wound closure in patients with extensive full-thickness burns. This combination of alternatives to the conventional grafting of split-thickness skin permits the substitution of cadaveric allograft with Integra and the substitution of donor autograft with CSS. This approach to the closure of excised full-thickness burns is expected to reduce greatly the time to definitive closure of burn wounds and to reduce the morbidity associated with the harvesting of donor sites for split-thickness skin autografts.     

严重烧伤患者的早期治疗与功能恢复

目的　探讨严重烧伤患者早期治疗与功能训练的最佳方案。方法　9例烧伤面积＞90%,Ⅲ度>70%患者采用同一部位反复供皮和Ⅱ度烧伤愈合后供皮以扩大皮源,以异体与自体皮相间移植和大片筛状皮移植为主,同时在创面愈合后即开始物理治疗和功能训练。结果　9例患者中3例恢复工作,6例能做些家务劳动,生活完全自理。结论　严重烧伤患者早期采取有效的植皮措施和功能训练是提高治愈率、减少并发症,促进患者功能恢复的有效保证。     

Determination of burn depth with noncontact ultrasonography

Early excision and grafting is the current treatment of choice for deep dermal and full-thickness burn wounds that will not heal spontaneously within 3 weeks. The time needed for the burn wound to heal is estimated with clinical assessment of the burn depth; this is often an inaccurate method. Therefore we have developed a new and unique noncontact ultrasonographic method to estimate burn depth. This study was designed to determine the practical utility and accuracy of noncontact ultrasonography for the assessment of burn depth. Seventy-eight burn sites and 42 normal skin sites (control sites) of 15 patients (age, 18-63 years) with burns of 2% to 35% total body surface area were evaluated. The burn sites were scanned with a prototype noncontact ultrasonographic system 1 and 3 days after the burn injuries. The probe was held 1 inch from the skin, and the time spent on each site was approximately 5 minutes. The ultrasonographic results were interpreted by an investigator who was blinded to the clinical findings. Clinical assessment of the burn wounds was made on the same days by 2 experienced physicians who were blinded to the results of the ultrasonography. The investigators were asked to categorize the burn wounds into those that would heal within 3 weeks and those that would not. With this method, we were able to visualize the epidermis, dermis, and dermal-fat interface in normal skin. The destruction of the dermal-fat interface was interpreted as a deep burn, which would not heal within 3 weeks. The overall accuracy of the noncontact ultrasonography in the prediction of which burn wounds would heal within 3 weeks was 96%. The results of this study show that noncontact ultrasonography will allow for the rapid evaluation of burn depth with high accuracy, without contacting the patient, and without causing pain or discomfort.     

Reduced wound contraction after grafting of full-thickness burns with a collagen and chondroitin-6-sulfate (GAG) dermal skin substitute and coverage with biobrane

Full-thickness burns destroy both the epidermal and dermal tissues of the skin. This study evaluates a collagen and chondroitin-6-sulfate dermal skin substitute (graft) that was applied to excised full-thickness burns and covered with Biobrane. Experimental conditions included: (a) no burn, subcutaneous implantation of the graft; (b) burn, excision, graft, coverage with Biobrane and bandages; (c) burn, excision, no graft, coverage with Biobrane and bandages; (d) burn only. forty-one days post-surgery, subcutaneous implantation (N = 3) of the graft caused no detectable contraction or necrosis of the overlying skin, whereas all burn wounds contracted. Measurements of wounds (percentage of original wound size) showed statistically significant differences between the following treatments; (a) graft plus Biobrane (N = 10), 34%; (b) no graft plus Biobrane (N = 9), 25%; (c) untreated burns (N = 6), 16%. Semi-quantitative evaluation of time to healing indicated by spontaneous detachment of Biobrane from wounds showed that grafted, excised wounds healed in an average of 2.7 weeks, while ungrafted, excised wounds required an average of 4.3 weeks to heal. Histological appearance of healed wounds after grafting and coverage with Biobrane resembles undamaged skin without epidermal adnexal structures. Excision of full-thickness burn eschar, followed by grafting with a collagen and chondroitin-6-sulfate dermal skin substitute and coverage with Biobrane provides reduced wound contraction within a six-week period of observation compared to non-excised wounds. Both more rapid and more complete wound healing took place compared to excised wounds that were not grafted.     

VAC联合腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣修复足踝部创面的疗效观察

目的探讨封闭负压引流技术（vacuum—assisted closure,VAC）联合腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣修复足踝部损伤,皮肤缺损创面的临床疗效。方法2005年12月至2009年3月本科收治的22例腋部皮肤缺损的患者,男16例,女6例。年龄18～58岁;早期扩创后采用VAC待肉芽组织形成后,用腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣修复足踝部创面。皮瓣范围5cm×8cm至8cm×12cm。结果1例远端皮瓣下出现慢性瘘道,经换药后创口闭合,皮瓣成活良好。其余患者皮瓣成活,切口均一期愈合,小腿供区愈合良好。结论VAC促进创面局部血运,肉芽形成,清洁创面,抑制细菌生长,减少感染,为皮瓣修复提供了良好的组织床。VAC联合腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣是修复足踝部创面的良好方法之一。     

深Ⅱ度烧伤创面磨痂治疗后残留皮肤组织中表皮干细胞标记物角化蛋白19的表达

背景:大面积烧伤往往需要削痂清除痂皮,但削痂手术往往会导致人为因素除去过多的残留再生皮肤组织.目的:观察磨痂治疗深Ⅱ度烧伤创面对残留皮肤组织中表皮干细胞标记物角化蛋白19表达的影响.设计、时间及地点:随机分组对比观察,于2002-10/2004-01在广西医科大学完成.对象:烧伤整形外热烧伤科患者40例,年龄18～37岁,平均烧伤面积为15%～45%,深Ⅱ度烧伤面积为15%～30%.随机分组方法分为磨痂组(n=20)、削痂组(n=20).方法:磨痂组采用电动磨痂仪对创面进行磨痂,由浅入深磨去坏死组织,至创面基底呈现红色充血,有珠状的小出血点为止.削痂组采用滚轴削痂刀对创面进行削痂,削至创面基底呈瓷白色、组织致密,湿润面有光泽,无网状血管栓塞和呈灰暗棕色的无光泽组织,放松止血带后可见密集点状出血较均匀,但有时因操作原因削痂过深,基底露出脂肪组织.两组创面术后用辐照猪皮覆盖.主要观察指标:取术前、术后小块创面组织以免疫组织化学SP法检测标皮肤再生组织中标记物角化蛋白19的表达,在100倍光学显微镜下,任意选取5个视野计数细胞团的表达数;观察两组创面愈合时间,记录超过4周不愈合的肉芽创面,需要再次手术植皮修复创面.结果;磨痂保留了较多的真皮组织,毛囊,汗腺,皮脂腺等皮肤附件.削痂后创面基底组织有薄层网状组织残田及部分毛囊及汗腺,有些标本视野中可见无真皮组织,为脂肪组织.细胞团的表达数比较结果显示,两组前及术后创面均有创面残留皮肤组织中标记物角化蛋自19表达,磨痂组术前、术后数量无明显变化(P>0.05),削痂组术后较术前数量减少(P<0.05);磨痂组创面较削痂组提前愈合(P<0.05).需要手术植皮创面磨痂组2处,削痂组8处(P<0.05).结论:应用磨痂术治疗烧伤深Ⅱ度创面能有效掌握磨痂深度,对组织损伤小,与削痂比较保留更多的再生皮肤组织,通过表皮干细胞的再生,利于创面再上皮修复,缩短创面愈合时间.     

碳素钓鱼杆致高压电烧伤5例报道

文章总结了科室自2001年5月至8月连续收治的5例由于钓鱼杆致高压电烧伤患者的诊治情况，这5例患者皆合并有电流损伤和电弧光烧伤。其中4男1女，年龄8－61岁，致伤电压1－1．1万伏。平均烧伤面积54％TBSA，深度为深2－3度，其中一例70％烧伤均为3度创面，伴深处肌肉，神经和血管严重损伤，有4例合并轻至重度吸入性损伤，3例特重度烧伤患者早期出现肝肾，消化道功能异常及电解质紊乱，1例经削痂后换药治疗痊愈，2例经早期双上肢切开减压，气管切开插管抢救成功存活，早期切痂植皮后经后期补植及皮瓣转移痊愈。2例由于重度吸入性损伤，G^-败血症合并多器官功能衰竭死亡，由于在一些高压电线周围缺乏应有的标记，许多钓鱼者也缺少必要的安全知识，往往导致这类严重损伤的发生，因此预防非生产性高压电烧伤的发生还有赖于各方面的共同努力。     

封闭负压引流干预慢性创面神经生长因子和微血管的变化

背景：随着老龄化程度的增加,慢性创面呈上升趋势,在治愈慢性创面方法匮乏的情况下,封闭负压引流技术开始应用于临床。目的：观察封闭负压引流技术对人慢性创面组织中神经生长因子表达及微血管数量的影响,探索促进慢性创面愈合的机制。方法：以10例慢性创面患者为观察对象,其中胸部软组织缺损、骨髓炎伴骨外露和截肢后残端大面积皮肤缺损各1例、皮肤撕脱伤后创面感染2例、胫骨骨髓炎2例、术后伤口感染3例。分别于封闭负压引流技术吸引前、吸引7 d和14 d切取创周皮肤和创面内肉芽组织,采用免疫组织化学技术检测神经生长因子表达和微血管数量变化,并观察伤口愈合情况。结果与结论：封闭负压引流技术治疗7 d和14 d后成纤维细胞及血管内皮细胞中的神经生长因子表达明显高于治疗前（P ＜0.001）。封闭负压引流治疗使微血管数量显著增加（P ＜0.05-0.01）。封闭负压引流治疗前创基内肉芽组织量少且较晦暗,存在坏死组织和较多脓性分泌物,伤口周围组织肿胀明显。经封闭负压引流治疗后,伤口内坏死组织和脓性分泌物逐渐减少,肉芽组织呈细颗粒状,鲜红色,触之易出血,伤口周围水肿消退。提示封闭负压引流技术可以提高慢性创面创周组织中神经生长因子表达和微血管数量,促进创面愈合。     

Regulation of the postburn wound inflammatory response by gammadelta T-cells

Healing of the burn injury site is a critical component of the patient's successful recovery from this form of trauma. Previous studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that gammadelta T-cells via the production of growth factors are important in burn wound healing. Nonetheless, the role of these cells in burn wound inflammation remains unknown. To study this, wild-type (WT) and gammadelta T-cell receptor-deficient (delta TCR) C57BL/6 male mice were subjected to burn injury or sham procedure. Wound cells were collected by implantation of polyvinyl alcohol sponges beneath the burn site in injured mice or beneath uninjured skin in sham mice. At 3 days after injury, infiltrating cells, wound fluid, and skin were collected for analysis. Burn injury markedly increased skin tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 levels. In WT mice, the numbers of infiltrating cells were similar between nonburn wounds and burn wounds. In contrast, deltaTCRmice displayed a 6-fold reduction in the cellular infiltrate. Burn injury in WT mice caused a marked increase in burn wound TNF-alpha, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, and interleukin 6 content as compared with nonburn wounds, whereas in delta TCRmice, the burn-induced increase of TNF-alpha and interleukin 6 was not observed. The wound cell infiltrate at 3 days postinjury was devoid of gammadelta T-cells in WT mice. It was predominately of myeloid origin expressing high levels of CD11b and F4/80. In conclusion, these findings suggest that resident gammadelta T-cells are important in the recruitment of inflammatory cells and regulation of the inflammatory response at the wound site after thermal injury.     

Effects of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor on wound healing in a mouse model of burn trauma

The effects of burn trauma and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) treatment on wound healing in a surgical incision model were studied. Sixty adult male mice were used in this study. Under general anesthesia hot water at 97 degrees C was applied for 3 sec to the dorsum of the mice in order to achieve 20% burn wound. After burn trauma, full thickness midline skin incision 2 cm in length was performed on the abdominal wall and then were sutured primarily with 4/0 polypropylene. In Group I only skin incision was performed, group II had skin incision and burn, in group III G-CSF (0.03 BU/30 g) was applied intraperitoneally after burn and skin incision. Breaking strength and 5-hydroxyproline (5-HP) levels of the wounds were calculated 5 and 10 days after the procedure. 5-HP levels and breaking strength values showed statistical difference between groups II-III and I-II (p<0.05). 5-HP levels were lowest in incision and burn group (41.80 microg/mg). Breaking strength levels were also lowest in the same group (0.12 kg) (p<0.05). These results suggest that third degree burn causes a significant impairment on incisional wound healing and G-CSF ameliorates this impairment.     

臀会阴及下肢大面积皮肤软组织撕脱伤的治疗

目的：回顾性分析臀会阴及下肢大面积皮肤软组织撕脱伤的治疗体会。方法：2005年1月至2007年6月,对8例臀会阴及下肢大面积皮肤软组织撕脱伤患者进行综合治疗。男4例,女4例,年龄4～48岁,平均26岁,病程1天～1月,平均2周。皮肤撕脱达体表总面积8%～20%。致伤原因：车祸伤7例,高坠伤1例。其中7例成人均上翻身床治疗,1例小孩床上自行翻身,6例由于创面距肛门较近或脊髓损伤不能控制大便而行结肠造瘘,通过造瘘口排便,创面愈合3月后行造瘘还纳术。所有患者均通过积极创面处理、肉芽新鲜后行刃厚植皮术而痊愈。结果：8例患者经过我们的综合治疗后伤口均愈合,随访6月后皮肤愈合良好。6例行结肠造瘘的患者中3例因骨盆骨折稳定于出院后3月左右行结肠造瘘还纳术,恢复肛门排便,3例伴有脊髓损伤患者而不能自行控制排便的患者在随访期间未行结肠造瘘还纳术。结论：臀会阴及下肢大面积皮肤软组织撕脱伤患者通过上翻身床,必要时行结肠造瘘,积极的创面处理及对症支持治疗能取得较好效果。     

重组人粒细胞巨噬细胞集落刺激因子治疗烧伤后残余创面

目的:探讨局部应用重组人粒细胞巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(rhGM-CSF)凝胶治疗烧伤后残余创面的安全性和有效性。方法:采用随机、双盲、安慰剂同体对照的研究方法,将120处烧伤后残余创面,随机分为试验组(n=60)和对照组(n=60)。试验组采用rhGM-CSF凝胶治疗,对照组采用空白基质安慰剂治疗,试验周期为21d。观察用药后不良反应和创面愈合时间,以及不同时相点的创面愈合率、总有效率。结果:用药后不良反应轻微。试验组创面平均愈合时间为12.6d(95%可信区间11.9～13.3d),较对照组(16.8d,95%可信区间16.1～17.5d)明显缩短(P<0.01)。用药6、12d后,试验组创面愈合率分别为(53±13)%、(91±12)%,均显著高于对照组[(36±11)%、(73±14)%,P<0.01];试验组总有效率(13.00%、91.67%)均显著高于对照组(1.67%、53.33%,P<0.05);试验组疗效明显优于对照组(P<0.01)。结论:局部应用rhGM-CSF凝胶能促进烧伤后残余创面愈合,并且具有较好的安全性。     

Comparison of propolis skin cream to silver sulfadiazine: a naturopathic alternative to antibiotics in treatment of minor burns

BACKGROUND: Propolis, a naturopathic substance derived from bees wax extract, has recently been praised for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cicatrization-enhancing properties. OBJECTIVE: In our study, we compare these properties in a high-grade Brazilian propolis skin cream directly with silver sulfadiazene (SSD) in the treatment of minor burns (superficial second degree) in the ambulatory care setting (less than 20% total body surface area burned). SETTINGS/LOCATION: The study was conducted at the burn clinic in Pronto Socorro para Queimaduras, Gioania, Brazil. SUBJECT: Patients were admitted to the study only if their initial presentation for burn care was within 48 hours postinjury and if bilateral wounds of similar depth and quality were present. INTERVENTIONS: Patients had propolis skin cream applied to one wound and SSD applied to the other selected wound on initial presentation and underwent debridement and dressings change the following morning. Patients subsequently returned to the clinic every 3 days to have the wounds checked and dressings changed. At these check-ups, wounds were cultured for microbial growth and photographed to document inflammation and cicatrization. Patients were instructed not to disturb their wounds or change their dressings at home, thus propolis skin cream and SSD were applied to the wounds only at the specified 3-day intervals. RESULTS: Our preliminary results do not show any significant difference in microbial colonization between wounds treated with SSD and propolis skin cream, however, wounds treated with propolis skin cream consistently showed less inflammation and more rapid cicatrization then those treated with SSD. CONCLUSION: Propolis skin cream appears to have a beneficial effects on the healing of partial thickness burn wounds. If dressings had been changed more frequent the antimicrobial and wound healing effects would have been enhanced.