What is Biobrane™ (and why has it been applied)?
Biobrane is a flexible “temporary skin cover” used to protect the wound and help it to heal. It allows the body to believe the skin is not damaged.
Biobrane has been shown to reduce the pain and discomfort felt when the skin is scalded (and reduce painful dressing changes) and may lead to a reduction in scarring.
After thoroughly cleaning the wound, Biobrane can be applied either under general anaesthetic, sedation or using simple oral analgesia such as Entonox (gas & air). The Burns Team will discuss Biobrane application options with you. Biobrane is held in place with a special glue and the glue can be seen as crusty blue blobs.
An outer dressing may be applied to protect the Biobrane. This should stay in place until the initial wound check at about 48hrs, unless there are any concerns before that time.
Initial application of Biobrane
How long does Biobrane™ stay in place?
Biobrane will normally stay in place until the burn heals. This can take up to 14 days.
As the wound heals, the Biobrane will begin to lift and will be trimmed with clean scissors. Any healed areas should be massaged with simple non perfumed moisturising cream. The nurses will advise you when you can help with this.
Biobrane trimming.
Please do not lift off or trim any Biobrane that is still adherent to the unhealed skin as this may damage underlying wound structures.
If after 2 weeks the burn has not healed, an alternative treatment may be needed. The Burns Team will discuss options with you.
Biobrane after 7 days.
Can I wash with Biobrane™ in place?
Washing Advice:
The burns team will advise you when you can have a gentle shower or quick/shallow bath, but you should not immerse the Biobrane for more than a few minutes. This will usually be 3-5 days after the Biobrane was applied. Dry the Biobrane by gentle patting, using a clean towel. Reapply protective dressings over the Biobrane (if required) as directed by the nurses in the Adult Burns clinic.
Aftercare
Once the wound has healed and the Biobrane has either fallen off or been removed, the burn area will continue to look red and inflamed. This is perfectly normal and will gradually fade over several months. The new skin must be kept clean and creamed with a simple non perfumed moisturising cream at least twice a day. You will be shown how to do this at the acute burns clinic.
After 14 days (Biobrane removed).
Any areas of the burnt skin that do not heal within 3 weeks may be at risk of developing scarring. Twice daily application of non-perfumed moisturising cream can help to improve this. Patients deemed at risk of developing scarring will be referred to the scar management service. The scar will be assessed and a management plan discussed with you. Treatments may include the use of silicone creams or pressure garments. The burns team will advise you on the appropriate treatment.
It is very important that the healed burn area is protected from the sun for at least 2 years or 2 summers, both with a high factor sun protection cream 30 plus or sun block (with UVA & UVB) and sun protective clothing. This reduces the risk of further damage and permanent tanning.
What problems or concerns should I look out for?
You will be advised of what signs and symptoms to look out for prior to discharge home. Always ring the ward if you have any concerns.
It looks ‘mucky’ underneath the Biobrane or the Biobrane is lifting.
You may need to come back for the Burns Team to assess the wound.
The wound smells.
This may be normal, but if you encounter any problems you may need to return for further assessment by the adult burns team.
Do not remove the Biobrane yourself unless instructed to do so.
Please contact the Adult Burns 24-hour helpline for advice. The number for this helpline is at the end of this leaflet.
If you need to attend another hospital or Doctor, other than the Adult Burns team, please ask them to contact us before removing the Biobrane. Take this leaflet with you for their information.
Useful contact numbers
The Adult Burns 24-hour help line 0117 414 3100 / 3102
The Acute Burns Clinic 0117 414 4005
References
Biobrane Biosynthetic Wound Dressing
Biobrane (smith-nephew.com)
How to contact us:
Adult Burns Unit Gate 33a
Level 2
Brunel building Southmead Hospital Westbury on Trym Bristol
BS10 5NB
Adult Burns 24 hour help line 0117 414 3100 / 0117 414 3102
Acute Burns Clinic (Monday-Saturday) 0117 414 4005
Scar Management service / Occupational Therapy (Monday-Friday) 0117 414 1683
Physiotherapy (Monday-Friday) 0117 414 3114
Outlook: Psychological support for people with appearance concerns (Monday and Thursday) 0117 414 4888
© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published February 2024. Review due February 2027. NBT002777.