Safety and efficacy of a proteolytic enzyme for enzymatic burn debridement: a preliminary report

A prospective, non-comparative study design was used to describe our experience with a bromelain-derived debriding agent, Debridase, in 130 patients with 332 deep second degree and third degree burns treated between 1984 and 1999. Debridase was applied after saturating the bums with a moist dressing for 2-24 h. Debridase was applied for a period of 4 h under an occlusive dressing. Mean patient age was 18.6 +/- 19.3. 42(32.3%) were female. and 63(48.5%) were children under age 18. Most burns were small. Debridase was applied once in 241(72.6%) of the 332 wounds, twice in 67 (20.18%) cases, three times in 12(3.61 %) cases, and four times in 2(0.6%) cases. The percentage debridement by number of applications was 89 +/- 21 % for a single application, 77 +/- 27% for two, and 62 27% for three Debridase applications, respectively. There were no significant adverse events. The availability of a fast acting, reliable and complication-free enzymatic debriding agent may open new horizons and provide a new treatment modality for burns. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.