A new experimental burn model with an infrared heater.

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to develop new experimental burn injury model using conventional infrared heaters.

METHODS: 21 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups. Portion of dorsal area was exposed to infrared radiation from distance of 50 cm to create burn injury. Length of exposure to heat for Group 1 was 5 minutes; Group 2 was exposed for 7½ minutes, and Group 3 was exposed for 10 minutes. Macroscopic and histopathological evaluations were utilized to demonstrate depth and characteristics of injury.

RESULTS: There was no burn injury in first group. Group 2 developed partial thickness burn, and result was full thickness burn injury in Group 3. In Groups 2 and 3 there was statistically significant difference in dermal collagen denaturation. Dermal injury depth was statistically significantly higher in Group 3 compared to Group 2.

CONCLUSION: New experimental burn injury model is described using conventional infrared heaters. Standard variables pertaining to model were defined to produce burn injuries at predictable depth: 10 minutes of exposure from 50 cm distance for full thickness burn, and 7½ minutes of exposure from the same distance for partial thickness injury.