Topical therapy of the burn wound: Present status

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Abstract
Invasive infection of the burn wound has long been the primary cause of death in thermal infury. Recent understanding of the pathogenesis of this “burn wound sepsis” has led to the successful control of the infection. The avascular nature of the burn wound precludes successful use of systemic antibacterial agents, but topical use has been found to be effective in reducing the numbers of bacteria to more manageable proportions. While all drugs are not effective, two rather old ones, silver nitrate and p‐aminomethylbenzenesulfonamide, are enfoying a renewed popularity due to their effectiveness in the burn patient. Wounds are more easily cared for, septic complications are lessened, and survival rates, particularly in children, are greatly increased. Significant side effects of drug use occur with both, but these are readily controlled with intelligent use. Other agents are being introduced, but experience with them is too limited. However, the success with the drugs currently utilized has firmly established the principle of effective topical therapy in the control of burn wound sepsis.

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