A case series examining the use of EpiProtect on patients who have sustained partial thickness burn injuries.

Objectives
The epidermis is almost always destroyed when a partial thickness burn injury is sustained, and wound healing can often be complex with frequent dressing changes that can extremely painful and traumatic. EpiProtect is a relatively new single application dressing that has been engineered to act as a synthetic epithelium and has not previously used at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Burns centre. A case review was undertaken in order to identify the indications, contra-indications and benefits of its use.

Method 
This is a small single centre retrospective and prospective case series including a minimum of 5 cases. Suitable patients will be identified by senior medical/nursing staff from the burns centre. A review of medical documentation and evaluations provided by Regen medical will be undertaken for each patient. A literature review will also be undertaken to establish any previous use of the product. 

Results 
Initial retrospective 3 case review examined medical notes and evaluations. The evaluations reported a reduction in pain for patients and ease and speed of use for healthcare staff. The wound healing was described as clinically acceptable for 2 cases but the third was lost to follow up. The initial findings mirror results previously found with the product in literature. The retrospective review has identified a criterion for future patient selection within the centre with a minimum of 2 patients to be reviewed over a 6-month period. These will then be combined in order to complete the case series review.

Conclusion
Initial results replicate findings from previous studies and demonstrate that Epiprotect has a range of benefits for both patients and healthcare staff and its use will be continued within the centre. As a single centre study further research is required to replicate these findings on a wider patient group and consolidate the criteria for its use. Support from Regen Medical producers of Epiprotect is declared.

1 - A case series examining the use of EpiProtect on patients who have sustained partial thickness burn injuries.