Evaporative water loss in partial skin loss in the first 24 hours.

In experiments on laboratory pigs the healing of decorticated dermis and in deep dermal burns was studied. In both groups, the controls were left uncovered, while the experimental wounds were covered with an indifferent ointment for the first 24 hours only. After the first 24 hours all wounds were left exposed without further treatment. It was found, that wounds, covered by an indifferent ointment for the first twenty-four hours only penetrate to a lesser depth as compared to the uncovered controls; histological studies of the course of healing confirm this fact, as the wounds treated for the first 24 hours only heal one week earlier then the controls. The differences were more pronounced in burns than in mechanical decorticated wounds. The authors presume, that these facts underline the importance of evaporative water loss during the first 24 hours in deep dermal burns as well as the importance of local treatment at this initial stage.