The Unknown Benefits of Dermal Matrices in Prevent Loss of Albumin in Patient with Major Burns.

Background

Hypoalbuminemia is a common complication after burn injury, exacerbated by surgical debridement, and contributes to edema, delayed healing, infection, and mortality. NovoSorb® biodegradable temporizing matrix (BTM) is a dermal substitute that may reduce protein loss from open wounds.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of BTM on serum albumin levels compared with conventional split-thickness skin grafting. Method: This retrospective review included burn patients (TBSA ≥ 10%, length of stay > 30 days) admitted between 2020 and 2025 who underwent debridement followed by BTM or skin grafting. Serial albumin levels were analyzed as weekly means. Result: Baseline characteristics were comparable between BTM (n = 14) and non-BTM (n = 16) groups. Albumin decreased in both groups at week 1. From week 3 onward, albumin levels rose only in the BTM group, with significant intergroup differences at weeks 5-7 (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01), but not at week 8.

Conclusions

In this observational, exploratory, and hypothesis-generating study, BTM application was associated with faster albumin recovery compared with conventional methods. This is the first study to suggest that a dermal substitute may positively influence systemic albumin dynamics in burn patients, highlighting its potential role in reducing protein loss and supporting metabolic recovery. However, given the preliminary nature of these findings, it requires confirmation in larger, prospective, randomized controlled trials.