Objective: To explore the therapeutic effect of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) for burn wounds of degree II in the elderly patients.
Methods: From February 2003 to October 2008, 80 patients with burn wounds of degree II were treated and randomly divided into two groups (n=40). In treatment group, there were 24 males and 16 females with an average age of 70 years (60-86 years), including 20 cases of superficial II degree and 20 cases of deep II degree. Burn wounds were caused by flame in 23 cases, by hot liquid in 16 cases, and by electricity in 1 case. The mean time from injury to hospitalization was (2.87 +/- 2.57) hours. The wounds were treated with silver sulfadiazine (SD-Ag) and rhEGF. In control group, there were 18 males and 22 females with an average age of 69 years (61-83 years), including 19 cases of superficial II degree and 21 cases of deep II degree. Burn wounds were caused by flame in 23 cases, by hot liquid in 14 cases, by electricity in 2 cases, and by chemistry in 1 case. The mean time from injury to hospitalization was (3.39 +/- 3.33) hours. The wounds were treated with SD-Ag. The dressing was changed every day until wounds healing. There were no significant differences in general data between two groups (P > 0.05).
Results: Wound did not heal in 1 case (deep II degree) of treatment group and in 5 cases (deep II degree) of control group over 40 days and free skin graft was used to repair wound. One case (superficial II degree) in control group gave up treatment. One case (deep II degree) died of pulmonary infection in treatment group. These cases were excluded and 72 cases were analysed. No other side reactions were observed in treatment group except for flash stabbing pain (4 cases) and pruritus (2 cases). Wound infection occurred in 5 cases of the control group and in 3 cases of the treatment group, and wound healed after symptomatic treatment. The healing time of burn wound was (14.30 +/- 1.26) days (superficial II degree) and (26.11 +/- 2.97) days (deep II degree) in the treatment group, was (16.22 +/- 1.40) days (superficial II degree) and (29.13 +/- 4.99) days (deep II degree) in control group, showing significant difference between two groups (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: In combined treatment, rhEGF can promote the healing of burn wounds of degree II in the elderly patients.