Effect of Api-Tulle Dressing versus the Conventional Dressing Technique on the Healing of Moderate Burns

Burns exert a catastrophic influence on people in terms of human life, suffering,
disability, and financial loss. Regarding burn wound care, the appropriate selection of a
topical therapeutic agent can improve the healing of wounds and lead to decreased patient
morbidity. Apitherapy is method of utilizing products from the honeybee including raw honey
for health benefits. Api-Tulle dressing technique is a type of Apitherapy. It is one of the
promising alternative techniques for wound care. Objective: To compare the effect of Api-
Tulle dressing versus the conventional dressing technique on the healing of moderate burns.
Settings: The study was conducted at the burn unit of Raas El-Teen El-Aam Hospital in
Alexandria. Subjects: The total sample of 40 adult patients admitted to burn unit suffering
from moderate burn were included, Patients were divided randomly into two groups of equal
size (20 patients, each). The first 20 patients were managed by conventional dressing
technique. The second 20 patients were managed using Api-Tulle dressing. Tools: Two tools
were used for data collection. The first tool (Burn patient assessment sheet) was obtained
from the subjects and their hospital chart at first date of data collection and tool two (Burn
wound evaluation sheet) was applied at admission then weekly until complete wound healing
occurred. Results: The main results of this study revealed that, regarding wound healing
morphology, healthy granulation tissues and proliferation of epithelial cells occurs in Api-
Tulle group patients more rapidly than conventional group and there were significant
difference between the two dressing techniques at the first, second, third and fourth weeks. In
Relation to signs of burn wound infection, the majority of Api-Tulle group patients (85%) did
not have edema and reddish discoloration. Where, more than half of the conventional group
(55%) had edema and reddish discoloration of wound after the first week. Hyperthermia and
elevation of white blood cells level (WBCs) occurred for conventional group patients with a
significant difference between the both groups. Conclusion: The use of Api-Tulle wound
dressings have a positive effects on wound healing and combating infection in comparison
with conventional dressings. Recommendations: Using Api-Tulle dressing technique for
moderate burn wound management at burn unit and further studies are needed for the
effectiveness of Api-Tulle dressing on severe burn injury.