A model to reproduce predictable full-thickness burns in an experimental animal

A standardized, reproducible animal model is a prerequisite to study concepts in the therapy of extensive burn injuries. The development of a new model makes it possible to produce predetermined burn injuries with a set temperature, time, contact pressure, and standard extent of tissue damage. For our studies we chose rats and exposed them to a temperature of 250 degrees C for 20 s and a contact pressure of 500 g/cm2 over various percentages of TBSA (total body surface area). The animals received shock prophylaxis for 3 days postburn and were kept under standardized conditions in a laminar airflow compartment. The temperature was kept at 32 degrees C and the relative humidity at 75 per cent. To reduce bacterial contamination, air was filtered through special bacteria-proof filters. Under these conditions we found burns of approximately 35 per cent TBSA to be sublethal resulting in 80 per cent mortality between days 5 and 7. This model permits the investigator to vary the burned skin area to any required extent for a reproducible study of different concepts of burn therapy.