Objective Enzymatic debridement (ED) of burn eschar became an accepted and widely used technique for acute burn wound treatment over the last years. However, it is not exempted from failure and recent experimental studies indicated that it may not be as efficient in scalds as in flame burns. This matched case-control study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ED defined as the absence of additional surgical debridement in scald and flame burns representing the two most common mechanisms of burn. Methods Patients that were admitted to the burn intensive care unit between June 2017 and February 2021 and received ED within the first 72 hours after scald and flame burn were included. Patients with scald burns were matched regarding age, sex and per cent total body surface area (%TBSA) burned in a 1:2 ratio with patients presenting with flame burns. Results Eighteen patients with scald burns were matched to 36 patients with flame burns. After matching, both groups were similar in terms of age (flame burns 44.5±21.1 years vs. scald 41.8±22.6 years, p=0.666), and %TBSA burned (11.0±8.2% vs. 10.6±9.6%, p=0.851). Patients with scald burns significantly more often needed further surgical debridement compared to controls (scald 16 (88.9%) vs. flame 19 (52.8%), p=0.016). Length of stay per %TBSA was significantly longer in scald burns (scald 7.8±9.2 days vs. flame 3.7±3.8, p=0.013). Conclusion This study is the first to compare the clinical efficacy of ED in different burn mechanisms. It indicates that ED may not be as effective in scalds as in flame burns. It was shown that patients with scalds and subsequent ED more frequently needed additional surgical intervention and that the size of the transplanted area was larger compared to control. Moreover, those patients had a longer length of stay at the hospital per %TBSA burned. We believe that larger, multicenter studies would be beneficial to further evaluate the efficacy of ED in different mechanisms of burn.

P.029 Enzymatic debridement in scalds is not as effective as in flame burns regarding necessity of additional surgical debridement: a retrospective matched-control study

Dear friends and colleagues,

We will be pleased to welcome you in Turin (Italy) for the 19th European Burns Association´s Congress in 2022. Italy is honored to hold the meeting of the European Burns Association for the second time, after Verona in 1995. Turin is easily reachable from everywhere in Europe, either travelling by car, train or choosing flight connections. During the meeting, held in the renewed industrial center of the main Italian historical automotive factory (i.e. Lingotto-FIAT), we will meet international burn specialists, focusing on standards of care, progresses in burn treatment, strategies to face disaster situations, with a special attention to education of younger colleagues. However, in your spare time, you might enjoy the sweet days of Italian late summer, simply wandering in the green parks and gardens along the two rivers which cross the city, or you might decide to discover the numerous art galleries, churches, palaces, libraries, walking across elegant squares and large boulevards, passing through centuries of art and history; finally, you may choose to immerse yourself in some of the most exciting museum experiences, such as the Cinema Museum and the Turin’s Egyptian museum.

Looking forward to seeing you all in Turin for the 19th European Association´s Congress in 2022!
Maurizio Stella, Congress President, Turin Burn Centre