Use of HEMHealing, an Oxygenating Dressing in the Treatment of a Full-thickness Burn on the Fingertips

Abstract

Summary: The optimal treatment for full-thickness burn injuries involves surgical intervention, which may include skin grafting or reconstruction by flap. The complexity of treatment arises from the need for both effective temporary wound coverage and permanent skin restoration while also considering the potential risk of finger amputation in the case of hand burn. A 22-year-old woman sustained a thermal burn of three fingers while participating in an art activity involving wax hand molding. Initial treatment with a standard oily dressing did not yield satisfactory results, and the option to try HEMHealing was offered, a new oxygenating biological gel dressing, resulting in progressive debridement, granulation, and epithelialization of the wound. Complete healing was achieved within 10 and 15 days for the second and fourth fingers, respectively, and within 8 weeks for the third finger. The use of HEMHealing, in this case, most likely contributed to accelerating wound healing, promoting the growth of new tissues, improving local tissue oxygenation, and avoiding a disabling distal amputation.