Cold water immersion and application have been used successfully for the local treatment of burns in human beings for several years. It has been established that burn pain is relieved by this method. Those who have used this method have also been impressed with the more rapid healing of the burn sites and lowered incidence of infection. The local morbidity of experimental burns have been shown to be improved by early surface cooling of the burned area. For cooling to be of practical value in the management of clinical burn, several factors must be considered: when and for how long a period´ a cooling solution must be applied. This study will provide experimental data regarding these problems.
Methods: Using Rosenthal´s technic, tail volume of burned mouse could be calculated fairly accurately. Standardized thermal burn were applied to mouse tail with immersion of tail into water bath of 60´C for 7. 5 sec. The effect on swelling of immersion of the burned tails in water at 0 °C-1 °C, 15´C and 24°C was measured. Immediate, delayed, intermittent and combined effect of cooling were examined with varying duration. Measurement of viable tail length as an index of tissue- damage and repair was followed for 21 days post-burn.
Result & Summary:
1. There were statistically significant inhibition of burn edema and survival of tail length ´in cold treated group.
2. Better result was obtained in group treated with short, intermittent application of 0 °C~1 °C cooling solution. With higher temperature (15°C-24°C), good results were obtained in 1 or 2 hours treated group. The best result was observed in group treated with 0°C, 1 hour, followed by 24°C.
3. Application of 0°C only for 10 min. did not inhibit the edema formation greatly but showed good tail survival. Only 10 minutes application of cooling to the burn wound did riot inhibit the edema formation but was suffice to inhibit the initial tissue destruction by the heat.
4. Sequestration of fluid into the tail after burn were only 1/2 to 2/3 of control in effectively treated groups.
5. Delay of treatment to 60 minutes after burn did not show statistically significant inhibition of the edema and tail length survival. The reduction of edema which has already been established before the onset of treatment were noted in groups delayed for 30 and 45 minutes.
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