Abstract:
Burns, unlike other wounds, show high variability in terms of tissue affected, severity and resultant fatal complications including shock, infection, electrolyte imbalances and spectrum of complex inflammatory response reactions. Following complete epithelialization, the remodeling phase is prolonged, and may take years for scar maturation. Infection adds significant complication to burns due to damaged structural and mechanical integrity of the skin and generalized immune suppression. Moist, protein-rich avascular eschar or blister that encourages microbial growth, replaces the skin barrier. Hampered migration of immune cells and release of intermediaries, impede the immune response. Eschar also restricts distribution of systemically administered antibiotics.
Scope of improvisation lies in burn wound management efficiency and developing a more economical system for topical care catering to pain- and scar-less healing. The present work aims to resolve the situation by developing a multilayer biopolymer scaffold fortified with antibiotics and bioactive agent focusing on full thickness burn wounds. The biopolymer layers are meticulously assembled to support skin cell migration and proliferation by providing the right microenvironment. Wound moisture control and exudate management are taken care by a hydrophobicity variation across the depth of the scaffold. The presence of antibiotics and bioactive agent will facilitate protection from infections and expedite healing, respectively. The scaffold serves as an extracellular matrix for regeneration of the destroyed tissue, tuned in detail to serve towards scar and contracture free healing. This biodegradable scaffold will be the first of its kind to address agonizing repeated replacement of bandages thereby, ensuring less painful healing of full thickness burn wounds. A functional blend of natural and synthetic components is proposed as prospective answer for efficient management of second and third degree burn wounds economically.
