[Early coverage of deep partial-thickness burn wound with porcine dermal collagen membrane. An experimental study].

Collagen was extracted by pepsin digestion from porcine skin and collagen membrane was prepared by salt precipitation. Collagen membrane as a wound dressing was evaluated in a deep partial-thickness burn wounds in a rat model. Burn wound, 4 x 4 cm, were inflicted by exposing skin to 75 degrees C for 15 seconds followed by de-epithelization. Wound healing was assessed by plenimetry of epithelization on day 10 postwounding. Open wounds exhibited a re-epithelialization of 24% of wound area. Collagen membrane dressing significantly improved the healing rate to approximately 70% of wound area.