Journal article
A Pilot Study of the Efficacy of Active Leptospermum Honey for the Treatment of Partial-Thickness Facial Burns
Advances in skin & wound care, v 29(8), pp 349-355
01 Aug 2016
PMID: 27429240
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Research suggests that active Leptospermum honey (ALH) improves outcomes in patients with partial-thickness burns by enhancing healing and reepithelialization rates, as well as by protecting against antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. This study assessed the effectiveness of ALH gel on healing time, bacterial growth, patient satisfaction, and cost of treatment.
DESIGN: Single-arm, prospective case series.
SETTING AND PATIENTS: Seven patients (aged 7-64 years) with partial-thickness facial burns were recruited from a northeastern US burn center.
INTERVENTION: All patients cleansed their wounds daily with soap and water, after which they applied ALH gel.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Three physicians independently rated healing using wound photography and daily tests for the presence of exudate. Wound cultures on days 1 and 7 (+/- 2 days) assessed bacterial growth. Patients completed a satisfaction survey at the end of treatment, and cost of treatment was calculated.
MAIN RESULTS: Healing time ranged from 3 to 14 days (mean, 8.1 days). Wound cultures revealed normal bacterial growth on days 1 and 7 for all patients. Patients rated ALH gel favorably, with the most common complaint of stickiness in 5 patients. One patient experienced transient burning on application that did not interrupt treatment. Average hospital-based cost of treatment was $26.15 per patient.
CONCLUSIONS: Healing time was congruent with or better than what would have been expected with standard treatment. Furthermore, despite no antibiotic treatment, wound culture results yielded no abnormal bacterial growth. Finally, patients overall reported satisfaction with treatment. The findings of this study suggest that ALH is a clinically and economically valuable treatment for partial-thickness facial burns.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- A Pilot Study of the Efficacy of Active Leptospermum Honey for the Treatment of Partial-Thickness Facial Burns
- Creators
- Christina L. Duncan - Families USAPaul T. Enlow - Families USAMargo M. Szabo - Families USAEric Tolchin - Families USARobert W. Kelly - Families USALourdes Castanon - Families USAAriel M. Aballay - Families USA
- Publication Details
- Advances in skin & wound care, v 29(8), pp 349-355
- Publisher
- Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
- Number of pages
- 7
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Surgery
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000380631100004
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84979584535
- Other Identifier
- 991022046551904721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Dermatology
- Nursing
- Surgery