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Published on: February 23, 2024
Usability and effectiveness of Suprathel® in partial thickness burns in children
Z M Rashaan1,2, P Krijnen3, J H Allema4
1Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands. zrashaan@rkz.nl.
Insights
Suprathel® shows promise for pediatric burn treatment, reducing pain and improving scars. However, effective adherence requires extensive wound debridement, particularly with Versajet®.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Pediatric Burn Care
- Wound Healing Technologies
Background:
- Partial thickness burns in children present unique challenges in wound management.
- Optimizing treatment for pediatric burns is crucial to minimize pain, infection, and long-term scarring.
- Advanced wound dressings aim to improve healing outcomes and patient comfort.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the usability and effectiveness of Suprathel® in treating partial thickness burns in pediatric patients.
- To assess key parameters including adherence, reepithelialization, pain, and scar formation.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, observational study was conducted.
- Evaluated adherence, reepithelialization time, grafting needs, wound colonization, pain scores (VAS and COMFORT-B), dressing changes, hospital stay, and scar formation (POSAS).
- Suprathel® adherence was specifically assessed in relation to Versajet® debridement.
Main Results:
- Suprathel® adherence was observed only in wounds debrided with Versajet®.
- Median reepithelialization time was 13 days; 3 patients required split-skin grafting.
- Pain scores were manageable, and scar assessment scores were favorable at 3 and 6 months post-burn.
Conclusions:
- Suprathel® demonstrates potential benefits in reducing pain and improving scar outcomes for pediatric burn patients.
- Adequate adherence of Suprathel® is contingent upon thorough wound debridement, preferably with Versajet®.
- Further research may optimize its application in pediatric burn management.
Purpose:
Evaluation of usability and effectiveness of Suprathel® in the treatment of partial thickness burns in children.
Methods:
A prospective, observational study to evaluate adherence of Suprathel® to the wound bed, reepithelialization time, grafting, wound colonization and infection, pain, dressing changes, length of hospital stay (LOS) and scar formation.
Results:
Twenty-one children (median age 2.4 years, range 5 months-14 years) with a median total body surface area (TBSA) of 4 % (range 1-18) were included. Median LOS was 10 days (range 3-20). Median outer layer dressing changes was 3 (range 1-14). Suprathel® was only adherent in wounds debrided with Versajet®. Median reepithelialization time was 13 days (range 7-29). Three patients needed a split skin graft. There were 7 (33 %) patients with wound colonization before application of Suprathel®. This increased to 12 (57 %) patients during treatment. One patient developed a wound infection. Median visual analog scale (VAS) scores for background and procedural pain in patients >7 years were 3.2 (range 2-5) and 3.5 (range 2-5), respectively. In younger patients, median background and procedural COMFORT-B scores were 13.8 (range 10-23) and 14.8 (range 13-23, p = 0.03), respectively. Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) scores were favorable after 3 and 6 months post burn.
Conclusions:
Suprathel® provides potential advantages regarding pain and scar formation, but extensive wound debridement is needed to achieve adequate adherence.
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