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significant (P = 0.008). The majority of Group C patients in Group H had a positive effect on care, as patients were
(24 patients) had wound contamination by the 5th postburn significantly more alert (P < 0.001).
day, whereas in Group H only 4 patients developed There were fewer mortalities in Group H (1 patient) as
wound infection, a highly statistically significant compared to Group C (5 patients), but this difference was
difference (P < 0.001) [Figure 2]. None of the patients in not statistically significant (P = 0.197). The decreased
Group H had weeping wounds, as compared to Group C mortality rate could not statistically be attributed to the
in which 76.7% of the patients developed weeping wounds effect of heparin alone.
(P < 0.001).
A reduction in infections was observed in nonweeping DISCUSSION
wounds in Group H as compared to Group C.
Fisher’s exact test was used to calculate the significance of Sushruta, considered to be the father of Indian surgery,
the lower analgesic requirement in Group H as compared described the clinical symptoms of burnt patients in
[1]
to Group C [Table 7]. The lower requirement for opioids 800 BC. In 1607, Fabricus Hildnus of Switzerland
provided the first printed extensive description of
burns, their classification and treatment in his book
Table 5: Duration of hospitalization was significantly “De Combustionibus.”
less than patients on conventional therapy
Percentage of burns Mean duration of P Heparin has been shown to be very effective in the
[2]
(%) hospitalization treatment of burns in a number of studies conducted in
different centers across the globe. The use of heparin
[3]
Group H Group C in burns has been shown to maintain blood circulation,
10-20 13.6 26.2 0.018 inhibit blood clotting and infarctions, relieve pain, limit
21-30 23.2 41 0.003 inflammation, revascularize ischemic tissue, enhance
31-40 26.4 67.9 0.001 granulation, regulate collagen, and reduce scarring and
41-50 0 45 contractures. [4]
51-60 47.7 38 0.289
The addition of heparin affordably improved burn care
in the current study. A majority of the burns were
Table 6: Complications accidental (46.7% of Group C and 63.3% of Group H),
Complications Number of patients while an appreciable number were homicidal in
intent (36.7% of Group C and 33.3% of Group H).
Group H Group C
The pain, erythema, and edema were reduced in patients
Aspiration pneumonia 0 3
Atelectasis 0 1 who received treatment with heparin. The relief of pain
Deep venous thrombosis 0 5 with the use of heparin was remarkable as assessed on
Pulmonary embolism 0 1 the visual analog scale as compared to the level of pain
Septicemia 1 3 experienced in Group C. There was a direct relationship
Urinary tract infection 3 6 between the size of burns and the amount of heparin
No complications 26 11 required to produce healing. The reduced use of pain
medication and associated reduced side effects permitted
Group H patients, who were more alert and cheerful, to
Table 7: Use of opioid analgesic ambulate sooner and participate in their burn treatment. [2]
Number of doses per day Number of patients Irrigation of blisters in Group H removed the inflammatory
Group H Group C exudates, and the skin functioned as an autologous
1-2 6 2 biological dressing. Smooth new skin was evident
beneath the dried thin blister when it usually flaked off
3-4 0 28
in 10-14 days.

Figure 1: Distribution of patients according etiology among heparin and
control groups Figure 2: Wound culture and growths
Plast Aesthet Res || Vol 2 || Issue 3 || May 15, 2015 113