Early debridement of second-degree burn wounds enhances the rate of epithelization--an animal model to evaluate burn wound therapies.

The purpose of this study was to examine the rate of epithelization of second-degree burn wounds with use of two debridement times (early versus late). Burn wounds were randomly assigned to one of the following treatment groups: (1) control, no debridement, (2) early debridement at 24 hours after burning, or (3) late debridement at 96 hours after burning. Wounds from each treatment group were harvested, incubated to allow separation of the dermis and epidermis, and then examined macroscopically for complete epithelization. On day 7 after burning, the percentage of burn wounds completely epithelized was as follows: nondebrided, 41%, 24-hour early debridement, 75%, and 96-hour late debridement, 22%. Burn wounds that were excised 24 hours after burning enhanced the rate of healing as compared to 96 hour and nondebrided burn wounds.