The Use of EZ Derm® in Partial-Thickness Burns: An Institutional Review of 157 Patients

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the use of EZ Derm® (Molnlycke Health Care, US, LLC, Norcross, GA) on partial-thickness burns. METHODS A retrospective review of medical records from patients presenting to the Tampa General Regional Burn Center from January 1, 2008, through January 1, 2012, was conducted. A hospitalwide list of patients was generated on the basis of the presence of charge codes for EZ Derm®. All encounters that did not pass through the Burn Unit were excluded. Applicable charts were reviewed for basic patient characteristics, burn characteristics, outcomes, and complications. Complications were defined as premature separation of EZ Derm®, deviation from a flat fully epithelized wound at the time of final EZ Derm® separation and hypertrophic/keloid scaring. RESULTS A total of 157 patients were identified and met the study criteria. Eighteen complications were reported from 16 of the 157 patients. Complications were attributed to positioning (2/133 = 1.5%), infection (4/133 = 3.0%), incomplete epithelialization at time of separation (3/133 = 2.2%), need for additional excision and grafting (6/133 = 4.5%), hypertrophic scaring (2/60 = 3.3), and cryptogenic (1/133 = 0.75). CONCLUSIONS EZ Derm® has proven to be a robust wound dressing that provides cost-effective, consistent durable wound coverage with minimal complications that resolve without long-term sequela.