The "Sulfamylon sandwich"--a laminated mafenide-saline dressing

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Wound Care
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Commercially available 11.2% mafenide acetate cream (Sulfamylon) is effective for burn wound sepsis but has drawbacks.
• A 5% mafenide acetate solution is effective and lacks the cream's disadvantages but is not widely available.
• Existing treatments present challenges for optimal burn wound management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To devise and evaluate a novel laminated dressing for delivering an aqueous solution of mafenide acetate.
• To address the limitations of current mafenide acetate formulations in burn wound care.
• To assess the efficacy and patient acceptability of the new dressing technique.

Main Methods:

• Development of a laminated dressing incorporating 11.2% mafenide acetate cream and saline.
• Application of the dressing to deliver an aqueous solution of mafenide acetate to burn wounds.
• Evaluation of the dressing's effectiveness and patient acceptance, particularly post-skin grafting.

Main Results:

• The devised laminated dressing effectively delivers an aqueous solution of mafenide acetate.
• The dressing proved to be both effective in wound management and acceptable to patients.
• The technique showed particular value in managing wounds following split-thickness skin grafts.

Conclusions:

• A novel laminated dressing offers an effective and acceptable method for delivering mafenide acetate solution for burn wound care.
• This technique overcomes the disadvantages associated with mafenide acetate cream.
• The dressing is a valuable option for managing burns and chronic open wounds, especially after skin grafting.