Mitigating Burn Severity and Infection Rates Using a Novel Dressing that Targets Multiple-Burn Related Pathologies
Abstract
Thermal injuries pose a risk for service members in prolonged field care (PFC) situations or to civilians in levels of lower care. Without access to prompt surgical intervention and treatment, potentially-salvageable tissues are compromised, resulting in increases in both wound size and depth. Immediate debridement of necrotic tissue enhances survivability and mitigates the risks of burn shock, multiple organ failure, and infection. However, due to the difficulty of surgical removal of the burn eschar in PFC situations and lower levels of care, it is of utmost importance to develop alternative methods for burn stabilization. Studies have indicated that cerium (III) nitrate may be used to prolong the time before surgical intervention is required. The objective of this study was to incorporate cerium (III) nitrate into an electrospun dressing that could provide burst release. Select dosages of cerium (III) nitrate were dissolved with either pure solvent or polyethylene oxide (PEO), for coaxial or traditional electrospinning set-ups, respectively. The solutions were coaxially electrospun onto a rotating mandrel, resulting in a combined nonwoven mesh, and then compared to traditionally spun solutions. Additionally, the dressings were evaluated ex vivo and in vivo. The dressings were first evaluated ex vivo using a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay to confirm that no cytotoxic effects were present. Then, one female Yorkshire swine (Midwest Research Swine) received ten 5 cm x 5 cm contact burns with a brass burn device that was heated to 100 deg C.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 15, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1226080
Entities
People
- Angela Jockheck-clark
- Christine Kowalczewski
- Cortes Iii Williams
- Jahnabi Roy
- Luis A. Martinez
- Marc Thompson
- Robert J Christy
Organizations
- Naval Medical Research Unit—San Antonio