Our Experience on Topical Usage of Acetic Acid in Pediatric Major Burns

Abstract

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: We discuss the0 topical usage of acetic acid in pediatric patients with major burns and wound infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were 5 boys; mean age was 11 years (range, 4-16 years), and mean total body surface burn area was 45.2% (range, 15%-74%). Two patients had high-voltage electrical injuries (with 1 patient having concomitant flame burns), 2 patients had flame burns, and 1 patient had scald injuries. Systemic treatment with topical 3% acetic acid application was started as soon as the septic conditions due to isolated bacteria were identified. RESULTS: Mean length of elimination period was 12 ± 5.1 days for multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. For 2 patients who had concomitant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolation, colonization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa continued during a longer period, although infectious findings regressed. Septic conditions regressed, and burn wounds totally healed after surgical debridement, split-thickness grafting, and amputation plus flap surgeries during mean length of hospital stay of 59.8 days (range, 35-90 days). CONCLUSIONS: Topical acetic acid (3%) administration is feasible for clearance of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and for reduction of Pseudomonas aeruginosa quantity in the burn wounds.