Comparative results of autologous skin cell suspension combined with a contact layer dressing versus autologous skin cell suspension and a poly-lactic acid dressing in larger total body surface burns.

INTRODUCTION: Contact layer dressing (CLD) is standard after autologous skin cell suspension (ASCS); however, the authors wondered whether a poly-lactic acid dressing (PLAD) results in superior outcomes and cost savings.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study including greater than 10% total body surface area (TBSA) burns treated with ASCS and either PLAD or CLD. Primary outcomes were infection and length of stay (LOS).

RESULTS: 71 patients (76% male, 24% pediatric, mean age 37 years) were included. Twenty-eight patients (39%) received CLD and 43 (61%) received PLAD. Wound infections were decreased in PLAD (7 vs 32%, p = 0.009). When controlling for area grafted (cm2 ) and TBSA, logistic regression revealed odds of post-operative infection was 8.1 times higher in CLD (p = 0.015). PLAD required antibiotics for fewer days (mean 0.47 vs 4.39, p = 0.0074) and shorter LOS (mean 17 vs 29 days, p < 0.001). Mean adjusted charges per %TBSA was $18,459 in PLAD vs. $25,397 in CLD (p = 0.0621).

CONCLUSION: In the first analysis of its kind, this study showed polylactic acid dressing combined with autologous skin cell suspension led to a decrease in postoperative infections, length of hospital stay, and total patient charges.