Biobrane®



Biobrane® is a white, stretchable dressing that you can see through.  It is made from a silicone layer and a nylon fabric that has collagen bonded to it.  The Biobrane® sticks to the burn.  It stays there until the wound is healed.  It acts as “artificial skin” and protects your wound while it heals.  Some of the benefits of Biobrane® are that much less wound care is needed than with standard burn care.  Wounds are often much less painful.

 

The main concern with Biobrane® is that it may not stick (adhere) to the burn wound or it may get infected.  For this reason, it needs to be checked often by a nurse or doctor who has been trained in its use.  If the Biobrane® needs to be removed at any point in your care, you would change to washing the burn daily and using antibiotic creams and dressings.

 

If you have Biobrane® placed on your burn, you will need to stay in close contact with the Burn Center staff.  You will most likely either be admitted to the Burn Center or see the Burn Center staff daily for the first week or so.

 

A nurse or doctor will place the Biobrane® on your burn after it has been washed and all of the burned skin removed.  It is wrapped with a bulky gauze and an ace wrap dressing.  This dressing will stay in place for 24 – 36 hours.

 

Home Care

 

First 24 – 48 hours

      Do not get the dressing wet.

      Do not remove the dressings.

      Do not move the dressed areas any more than needed.

      If the Biobrane® is over a joint, do not flex the joint during this time.

 

The first dressing change will be 24 – 36 hours after the Biobrane® is placed.

 

The bulky dressing will be removed down to the Biobrane® layer in the Burn Center or Burn Clinic.  The Biobrane® is checked to see if it has stuck (adhered) to the wound.

 

• If the Biobrane® is stuck to the wound and there is no fluid build up under it, the burn will simply be rewrapped.

 

• If it did not stick or if there is fluid build-up under the Biobrane®, your nurse or doctor may either remove it and place a different type of dressing or replace the gauze and ace wrap dressing over the Biobrane® and re check the burn the next day.

 

Activity

 

After 24 – 48 hours, you can bend or use the body part that is covered by the Biobrane®.  We strongly suggest that you bend or use any burned body parts at this time.  It is much easier to maintain range of motion during burn care than to get it back once you have healed.  You will meet our Occupational and Physical Therapists who will help you with exercises and stretches that need to be done during this phase of your healing.

 

After 48 hours

 

Your may need to return to the Burn Clinic for daily wound checks and dressing changes.

 

Once you are ready and the Burn Center staff feels that your burns are ready, you will begin doing your own care at home.

 

Daily Care

 

• Shower daily.
  • Wash your Biobrane® and other burns with soap and water on a clean washcloth.
  • Rinse with running water.
  • Complete the rest of your shower.
  • Pat the Biobrane® dry with a towel.

 

• Do not submerge the Biobrane^® into tub water.  Do not soak in the bathtub, go in a hot tub, or swim until your wounds are completely healed.

 

• Check for signs of infection.
  • Skin around the wound is more red, swollen, or feels hot.
  • Fluid build-up under the Biobrane^®.
  • Wound smells bad.
  • Fever above 101° F.
  • Flu like symptoms; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or fatigue.
  • Increased pain.

 

• When the Biobrane® becomes dry, appears white, and is loose in places, it may be ready to be removed.  You may also notice some itching at this time.  This often happens around 7 – 14 days after the burn.
  • Apply lotion to the Biobrane® and gently rub the lotion into the edges to help soften and loosen the edges before it is removed.
  • Use scissors that have been cleaned with alcohol.  Gently lift the edges and trim away the loose Biobrane®.
  • Stop trimming if you cause bleeding as you lift the edges of the Biobrane®.
  • Apply lotion to the sites where you have trimmed off the Biobrane® and the skin is pink and healed.

 

• You do not need to cover the Biobrane® at this time.  If you are concerned about leaving it completely open to the air, or if the Biobrane® is on a child you can cover the Biobrane® with a clean sleeve/shirt/sock/etc as needed.

 

Phone Numbers

 

Call the Burn and Wound Clinic for questions or concerns at 608-263-7502

 

For after hour or weekend urgent concerns call the Burn Center at 608-263-1490.  This will give you the paging operator.  Leave your name and phone number with the area code.  The doctor will call you back.

 

The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 10/26/2009

Copyright © 02/25/2009 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #5812

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