THE TREATMENT OF DERMAL FACIAL BURNS:
FIRST EXPERIENCES WITH THE USE OF A B-GLUCAN
CONTAINING CREAM
Author (s): Lars-Peter Kamolz, Daryousch Parvizi, David Lumenta, Michael
Schintler
Institute: Divison of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical
University of Graz, Graz, Austria
Email: lars.kamolz@medunigraz.at
Objective: Saving the zone of stasis is one of the major goals of burn
specialists especially in case of facial burns. Increasing the tissue tolerance to
ischaemia and inhibiting inflammation have been proposed to enable salvage
of this zone. After a burn, excessive inflammation, including increased vascular
permeability, local tissue oedema and neutrophil activation, causes local tissue
damage by triggering vascular thrombosis and blocking capillaries, resulting in
tissue ischaemia and necrosis. Oxygen radicals also contribute to tissue
damage after a burn. According to the literature it is well known that β-glucan
has the capacity to stop or to decraese neutrophil-dependent tissue damage
and burn-induced oxidative injury through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
properties.
Materials & Methods: In 7 patients with dermal facial burns we examined the
treatment and healing effect of a β-glucan containing cream. The β-glucan
containing cream (GlucanPro Cream 3000®) was used for topical application:
the cream was applied daily: wound healing was documented on a daily basis
by use of BurnCase3D. Moreover, the pain level was evaluated by use of the
VAS also on a daily basis.
Results: All 7 patients healed without any signs of infection, without pain or
discomfort and without major scar development. All patients were very pleased
and satisfied with the long time result. In particular, the re-epithelialisation and
wound healing time was very good.
Conlusions: This case series demonstrated that β-glucan containing creams
are suitable for the treatment of dermal facial burns by preventing
neutrophil-dependent tissue damage and burn-induced oxidative injury.
β-glucan helps to promote healing through its anti-inflammatory and
antioxidant properties.