Effects of cryogen spray combined with polymeric hydrogel on acute burn wounds

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-8115.2022.05.002

Abstract

Abstract: Objective

·To develope a medical device for first aid of burns, a new formulation of cryogen spray and polymeric hydrogel, which can quickly reduce skin temperature and has no irritation, and investigate the effect of cryogen spray combined with polymeric hydrogel on quickly blocking the continuous injury of heat source to the skin tissue, and on the early repair of wound and reduction of the area and depth of burn wound.

Methods

·The cryogen spray was filled into the high-pressure tank and its cooling performance was evaluated. Polymeric hydrogel dressing was prepared and the cooling time was evaluated. The irritating effect on rat' back skin tissue was evaluated after exploring on cryogen spray combined with polymeric hydrogel continuouly for 72 h. A burn rat model was created, the rats were randomly divided into two groups with 6 in each group. The burn area and inflammatory reaction of cryogen spray combined with polymeric hydrogel treated for 24 h was compared with that of the untreated group or the tap water treatment group.

Results

·Compared with tap water, the cooling effect of 15% concentration cryogen spray was the best. Within 3 minutes, the cooling rate was significantly higher than that of the tap water control group (P<0.05). The cooling effect of polymeric hydrogel can be maintained for 8 h, the temperature of 70 ℃ water can be reduced to room temperature (22 ± 2) ℃ within 2 h, and the water temperature was lower than that of the control group throughout the whole process. Both materials had no irritating effect on skin tissue, and did not cause allergic reactions such as erythema and edema of skin tissue. Compared with the untreated group and the tap water group, the eschar area of the burn wound treated with cryogen spray combined with polymeric hydrogel decreased significantly (P<0.05). H-E staining showed that compared with the untreated group and the tap water group, the number of inflammatory cells in the wound of the combined application of cryogen spray and polymeric hydrogel group decreased significantly (P<0.05).

Conclusion

·The combination of cryogen spray and polymeric hydrogel shows good cooling efficiency. The combined application can reduce the eschar area, and prevent the progressive deepening of the wound and the accumulation of inflammatory cells, which is conducive to the wound healing as soon as possible in the later stage. It will not cause allergic reaction of skin tissue. It may be exploited as an effective and convenient tool for the first aid management of burn patients..

Key words: burns, first aid, cryogen spray, hydrogel

CLC Number:

R644

DONG Jiaoyun, SONG Fei, LU Shuliang, LIU Yan, TIAN Ming. Effects of cryogen spray combined with polymeric hydrogel on acute burn wounds[J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Medical Science), 2022, 42(5): 562-569.

Figures/Tables 10

TrendMD

References 30

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Test	Skin response	Score
Erythema and eschar formation	No erythema	0
	Very slight erythema （barely perceptible）	1
	Well-defined erythema	2
	Moderate to severe erythema	3
	Severe erythema （beet-redness） to slight eschar formation （injuries in depth）	4
Edema formation	No edema	0
	Very slight edema （barely perceptible）	1
	Slight edema （edges of area well-defined by definite raising）	2
	Moderate edema （raised approximately 1.0 mm）	3
	Severe edema （raised more than 1.0 mm and extending beyond exposure area）	4
Total possible score for irritation		8

Test	Skin response	Score
Erythema and eschar formation	No erythema	0
	Very slight erythema （barely perceptible）	1
	Well-defined erythema	2
	Moderate to severe erythema	3
	Severe erythema （beet-redness） to slight eschar formation （injuries in depth）	4
Edema formation	No edema	0
	Very slight edema （barely perceptible）	1
	Slight edema （edges of area well-defined by definite raising）	2
	Moderate edema （raised approximately 1.0 mm）	3
	Severe edema （raised more than 1.0 mm and extending beyond exposure area）	4
Total possible score for irritation		8

Mean skin irritation intensity score	Intensity grading value
0‒<0.5	No irritation
0.5‒<2.0	Sight irritation
2.0‒<6.0	Moderate irritation
6.0‒<8.0	Severe irritation

Mean skin irritation intensity score	Intensity grading value
0‒<0.5	No irritation
0.5‒<2.0	Sight irritation
2.0‒<6.0	Moderate irritation
6.0‒<8.0	Severe irritation

Formula	Cooling time/s
Formula	Repeat 1	Repeat 2	Repeat 3	Average
Ordinary tap water	49.57	43.83	45.65	46.35
10% cryogen spray	35.68	40.87	40.00	38.85
15% cryogen spray	31.72	34.60	33.50	33.27
20% cryogen spray	34.50	31.15	34.80	33.48