Bromelain-Based Enzymatic Debridement Versus Standard of Care in Deep Burn Injuries: A Systematic Review and...

Deep burn injuries necessitate effective debridement to promote healing and reduce complications. Traditional surgical debridement is the standard of care; however, it can lead to significant tissue loss, excessive bleeding and delayed healing. Bromelain-based enzymatic debridement offers a potential less invasive alternative that aims to selectively remove necrotic tissue while preserving viable ones. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis comprehensively compares bromelain debridement versus standard care in the management of partial and full thickness burns. Cochrane Library, Embase, and Medline were searched until May 30, 2024 for studies comparing bromelain debridement versus standard care. R version 4.4.0 was used to pooled risk ratio and mean difference in a random-effects model. We included 7 studies, comprising 484 participants, of whom 238 (49%) were treated with enzymatic debridement. Bromelain significantly reduced time to eschar removal (MD -7.60 days 95% CI [-9.76, -5.44]; I2 = 70%) in comparison with standard care. Additionally, bromelain group presented a significant reduction in the risk of surgical excision (RR 0.17; 95% CI [0.06, 0.47]; I2 = 79%) and need for autografts (RR 0.40; 95% CI [0.18, 0.93]; I2 = 76%) in comparison with standard group. No differences were found in behalf of time to wound closure (MD -7.64 days; 95% CI [-18.46]-[3.18]; I2 = 86%), nor in Modified Vancouver Scar Scale (MD -0.36 points; 95% CI [-0.96]-[0.23]; I2 = 0%). Bromelain-based enzymatic debridement may accelerate eschar removal and reduce the need for surgical excision and autografts, without adversely affecting wound closure time or long-term scar quality.