Biobrane--a useful adjunct in the therapy of outpatient burns

Fifty-five patients with partial thickness burns ranging from 1% to 10% of their body surfaces have been treated with Biobrane (Woodroof Laboratories, Santa Ana, CA) dressings on an outpatient basis. This material is a biosynthetic skin prosthesis that was introduced commercially in 1979. Advantages of Biobrane over other conventional dressings in outpatient burn care have been the significant pain relief, reduced number of dressing changes, decreased patient visits, and satisfactory epithelization in 7 to 14 days, ease of application and removal, and cost effectiveness. The dressing must be placed on clean wounds judged to be partial thickness in depth. Topical antibiotics are unnecessary in the care of these patients.