Amniotic Membrane Dressing versus Nitrofurazone-Impregnated Dressing in the Treatment of Second-Degree Burn Wounds: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction. Both the amniotic membrane biologic dressing and nitrofurazone-impregnated dressing are treatment options for burn
wounds. Objective. To compare the efficacy of these treatments in healing second-degree burns, a randomized clinical trial was conducted
among patients with second-degree burns who had no comorbidities or history of addiction and were referred to a burn center in Urmia,
Iran, between December 2017 and September 2019. Materials and Methods. Patients were randomly assigned to one of 2 study groups.
Wounds were dressed in either amniotic membrane covered with moistened gauze/petrolatum or nitrofurazone-impregnated gauze.
Comparative groups were matched according to percentage of burn (total body surface area). The dressing application occurred once
daily in the nitrofurazone group and once weekly in the amniotic membrane group. The study was conducted until all wounds healed. The
study outcomes included the infection rate of the wound, pain severity related to dressing changes, dressing change frequency,
epithelialization rate, hospitalization length of stay, morphine use, and scarring. Data were collected in real time by the researcher via
observation, interview, examination of the patient, and, eventually, completion of a checklist. Analyzed quantitative and qualitative variables
were reported as mean ± standard deviation and percentage (frequency). Results. Each group included 35 participants (24 men, 11 women;
age, 20.05 ± 3.60 years in the amniotic dressing group; and 20 men, 15 women; age, 21.60 ± 2.02 years in the nitrofurazone-impregnated
gauze group). Assessment was performed on days 1, 7, 14, and 30 from the initial treatment and at discharge. No significant difference was
noted in the rate of infection between the 2 groups. Epithelialization was complete (100%) by day 7 in the amniotic membrane group,
versus 77% in the nitrofurazone group. Pain following dressing application, length of hospitalization, morphine use, and scarring at day 14
were significantly lower (P < .05) in the amniotic membrane group. Conclusions. This study indicated that the use of amniotic membrane
dressing improved factors key to healing in second-degree burn wounds compared with nitrofurazone-impregnated dressing. Further
research with a larger sample is warranted.