(LR-020) The Effect of a Hydrogel Copper Gauze on the Healing of Third-Degree Burns Using a Porcine Model.

Jie Li, MD, PhD – Associate Professor, Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery; Joel Gil, BS – Sr. Manager, Research Laboratory, Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery; Michael Solis, MBA – Research Associate 2, Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery; Aaron Strickland, PhD – Vice President of Research and Development, iFyber, LLC; Stephen Davis, BS – Research Professor, Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery

Introduction: Burn wound injury can produce substantial morbidity and mortality for both civilians and military personnel. ¹ Third-degree burns include full thickness destruction of both the epidermis and dermis that results in the develop of scars and contractures.² Copper has been previously used for it’s antimicrobial and wound healing effects. ^3,4 The present study investigated the ability of two novel hydrogel copper gauze prototypes to enhance the healing of third degree burns using a porcine model.⁵

Methods: Seventy-two (72) third degree burn wounds were created on pig, within 20 minutes after wounding all wounds were treated one of the following treatments: 1) Hydrogel Gauze with Copper H1-D (Copper H1-D)^, 2) Hydrogel Gauze with Copper H1-B (Copper H1-B)⁺, 3) Gelling Fiber Dressing with silver (GFD-Ag)*, or 4) Untreated Control^˜. All wounds were covered with a polyurethane film dressings and histologically assessed on days 10, 14 and 21 post treatment.

Results: Copper H1-D showed a significant (p≤0.05) increase in the healing at all assessment days compared to GFD-Ag, showing the highest healing percentage (84.8%) on day 21 (p ≤ 0.05) compared to all tretaments groups. On day 10 a significant (p≤0.05) increase in wound healing was observed as well with Copper H1-B compared to wounds treated with GFD-Ag.

Discussion: This study demonstrate that the both Hydrogel Gauze with Copper prototypes resulted in a increase in ephilialization compared to GFD-Ag, having Copper H1-D as a best treatment tested amount the others. These significant results demonstrate the ability of the copper treatments to enhance the healing, showing a promising clinical implications, especially for third degree burn patients.