A new apparatus for standardization of experimental burn models.

BACKGROUND: Burns have severe economic burden for families and countries therefore its treatment modalities have utmost importance. Several study both experimental or clinic has been reported accordingly. Although contact burns were frequently used models, most of them were manually designed. The elapsed time was recorded only. However, the real time contact surface temperature (T) and weight force (WF) were fundamental characteristics of a burn model. The aim of this study is to create a standard burn model with recording real time variables on behalf of custom designed apparatus.

METHODS: A custom designed apparatus was manufactured in which the variables of real time T, WF and elapsed time could be set and record. A vertical angle was provided to ensure the applied WF. And hence, Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: (1) Burned at 60±1°C with low WF(G60WFL ), (2) Burned at 60±1°C with high WF(G60WFH ), (3) Burned at 80±1°C with low WF(G80WFL ), (4) Burned at 80±1°C with high WF(G80WFH ). The healthy skin thickness and burn depth were measured. The percentage of burn depth to healthy skin was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: Constant variables T and WF were achieved. The pressure applied on skin was not significant between low [G60WFL vs G80WFL, (p=0.1704)] and high [G60WFH vs G80WFH (p=0.2369)] WF groups. However the percentage of burn depth was increasing owing to applied WF in 60°C group [G60WFL vs G60WFH , (p=0.0125)] and in 80°C group [G80WFL vs G80WFH (p<0.0001)]. And also the percentage was significantly increasing owing to set T, in low WF group [G60WFL vs G80WFL (p<0.0001)] and high WF group [G60WFH vs G80WFH (p<0.0001)]. Besides neither T nor WF has priority.

CONCLUSION: Without recording the real time T and WF, it is infeasible to achieve a standard burn model. For a standard depth of burn, variables should be under control, as if our custom designed apparatus.