Comparison of the Efficacy of Hydrogel-Based Wound Dressing Containing Allantoin and Silver Nanoparticles in the Treatment of Second-Degree Burn Wounds

Among the accidents that threaten human life, burn accidents are one of the worst. Burns are the fourth most common trauma worldwide and cause death, disability, pain, and many other problems. Faster healing of burn wounds is one of the health priorities of countries and it's important as a principle in the science of treatment. This research aims to determine and compare the effectiveness of hydrogel dressings containing allantoin and silver nanoparticles in the treatment of second-degree burn wounds.

This study was designed as a randomized controlled clinical trial. A total of 86 patients were selected in the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomly divided into two groups: A=43 and B=43, using a block method of 4. Group A patients received hydrogel containing silver nanoparticles and allantoin with a thickness of 2 millimeters and then sterile gauze and bandage on top of it, and group B patients received the usual treatment (Vaseline gauze, 0.5% acetic acid and 1% betadine). Local treatment was performed every 48 hours, and dressing was applied after each treatment. The condition of the wounds, including the presence or absence of granulation tissue, bleeding, pain, infection, and other wound complications or healing factors, was recorded and evaluated by visiting and observing every 48 hours.

The average age in the intervention group was 10.2 years and in the control group was 9.9 years, and the difference was not statistically significant, P=0.456. 48% of the patients in the intervention group were male 52% were female, and in the control group, 44% were male and 56% were female, and the difference was not statistically significant, P=0.665. The average percentage of burns in the intervention group was 9.04% and in the control group was 9.58%, which was not statistically significant P=0.289. The type of burn in the intervention group was liquid 69% and flame 31%, and in the control group, liquid 65% and flame 34%, which was not statistically significant P=0.645.The intervention group had 55% of limbs and 45% of trunk and the control group had 63% of limbs and 37% of trunk, which difference was not statistically significant, P=0.510. In other words, the two groups were homogenous in age, sex, average burn percentage, burn mechanism, and location, and there were no significant differences. The average onset of epithelialization in the intervention group was 4.5 days (74% of patients on day 4 and 23% on day 6) and 6.4 days in the control group (60% of patients on day 6 and 30% on day 8), which was statistically significant P<0.001. The average intensity of pain in the intervention group was 5 out of 10 and in the control group was 7 out of 10, and this difference was statistically significant P<0.001.

The results of this study show that patients treated with a hydrogel dressing containing silver nanoparticles and allantoin had a statistically significant difference in the onset of wound epithelialization and pain intensity, compared to the usual dressing. This dressing can be used as a suitable alternative in the treatment of second-degree burn wounds compared to routine dressings. Therefore, offering it to the medical team, who play an essential role in the treatment of patients with burns, will reduce the length of hospitalization and the costs.