Hypochlorous acid versus normal saline solution for the cleansing of indeterminate-depth burn wounds: a randomized, controlled trial

Hypochlorous acid is an effective agent for wound irrigation, however, evidence from controlled trials involving burn wounds is lacking. This was a randomized, controlled study that compared healing outcomes, for indeterminate-depth burn wounds, irrigated with either hypochlorous acid (active treatment) or normal saline (control). Total 27 patients, 54 burn wounds were included. One of the two wounds in the same patient was irrigated with hypochlorous acid, and normal saline for another wound, in accordance with a standard wound management protocol. Time to healing was significantly shorter for burn wounds irrigated with hypochlorous acid (18.7 ± 3.0 vs 21.0 ± 2.6 days, p = 0.01). From Day 15 onwards, wound epithelialization rate was statistically significantly higher in wounds irrigated with hypochlorous acid compared with normal saline (Day 21; 96.64 ± 5.73% vs 92.28 ± 7.91%, p = 0.04). Bacterial colonization rate tended to be lower in wounds irrigated with hypochlorous acid throughout the study. Pain after wound irrigation was not significantly different between two groups; moreover, this resolved quickly after wound dressing procedure. In conclusion, hypochlorous acid irrigation accelerated the healing rate of indeterminate-depth burn wounds. Further research involving larger numbers of patients is warranted.