Reconstruction of Deep Partial-Thickness Burns With Ovine Forestomach Matrix: Results From a Prospective Observational Study

Maximizing the critical goals of burn care (efficient healing, pain control, good cosmesis, and patient satisfaction) can reduce hospital burden and enhance patient outcomes. Use of a biologically derived graft in burn management may support these goals by limiting inflammation and infection and improving tissue remodeling; however, rigorous clinical evaluation of these materials is currently limited. This prospective observational study evaluated the safety and performance of a biologically derived graft composed of ovine forestomach matrix (OFM) in promoting the critical goals of burn care in deep partial-thickness burns. Outcome measures included postoperative complications, time to healing, postoperative pain, and a patient and observer scar assessment. The study enrolled 49 burns with a median size of 129 cm2 that were treated with a single application of OFM. The median time to healing was 16 days, and the median follow-up period was 164 days. There were no infections observed. The median patient pain score was 3 out of 10 on postoperative day 6, and patient scar satisfaction was 5 out of 5 at long-term follow-up. The majority of treatment areas were scored as having normal pigmentation (n=20; 45.5%), supple pliability (n=37; 84.1%), and flat height (n=33; 75.0%). This prospective observational study suggests that the OFM may support rapid burn healing with minimal pain, good cosmesis, and high patient satisfaction.