Abstract
The recommendations for the first aid treatment of burn injuries have previously been based upon conflicting published studies and as a result the recommendations have been vague with respect to optimal first aid treatment modality, temperature, duration and delay after which treatment is still effective. The public have also continued to use treatments such as ice and alternative therapies, however there is little evidence to support their use. Recently there have been several studies conducted by burn researchers in Australia which have enabled the recommendations to be clarified. First aid should consist of cool running water (2-15°C), applied for 20 minutes duration, as soon as possible but for up to 3 hours after the burn injury has occurred. Ice should not be used and alternative therapies should only be used to relieve pain as an adjunct to cold water treatment. Optimal first aid treatment significantly reduces tissue damage, hastens wound re-epithelialisation and reduces scarring and should be promoted widely to the public.

Abstract
Dermal skin substitutes can be used to overcome the immediate problem of donor site shortage in the treatment of major skin loss conditions such as burn injury. In this study the biocompatibility, safety and potential of three variants of NovoSorb™ (a family of novel biodegradable polyurethanes) as dermal scaffolds were determined in-vitro. All three polymers exhibited minimal cytotoxic effects on skin cells allowing human keratinocytes, dermal fibroblasts and microvascular endothelial cells to grow normally in co-culture. Assessment of a three-dimensional polymer matrix followed. A rudimentary composite skin was created with the sequential culturing of dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes within the matrix. Furthermore, the polymeric matrix provided a scaffold for the guided formation of a cultured microvasculature. These results prompt further investigation in-vivo to assess their safety in biological systems and to elucidate their interaction with the wound environment.

Abstract
In previous work, the biocompatibility, safety and potential of three variants of NovoSorb™ (a family of novel biodegradable polyurethanes) as dermal scaffolds were determined in-vitro. This paper documents the subsequent in-vivo work. Subcutaneous implantation of the three candidate NovoSorb™ polymers in rats demonstrated no systemic toxic effects of the materials or their degradation products. The anticipated local foreign body reaction compared favourably with commercially-available medical sutures. Assessment of a three-dimensional polymer matrix followed. When engrafted onto a surgically-created full-thickness sheep wound, the non-cellular matrix integrated, healed with an epidermis supported by a basement membrane and was capable of withstanding wound contraction. The resistance to contraction compared favourably to a commercially-available collagenbased dermal matrix (Integra™). These results suggest that the NovoSorb™ matrix could form the basis of an elegant 2-stage burn treatment strategy with an in tial non-cellular Biodegradable Temporising Matrix to stabilise the wound bed followed by the application of cultured composite skin.

Abstract
Any patient who survives a large burn injury will be left with some degree of scarring. As well as affecting the form and function of the skin, scarring can have severe psychological consequences such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression 1. This is particularly the case for hypertrophic or keloid scars, which are common after serious burns. Despite this, the process underlying their formation is incompletely understood and limited effective options are available for their treatment. This paper reviews current understanding of the pathophysiology of the wound healing process in relation to burns and reviews the current management for burn wounds.

Abstract
Burns are common injuries worldwide and often heal with significant scarring when injury extends into the deep dermal layer. It can lead to hypertrophic scarring, scar contracture, impaired skin function, and disfigurement. Due to the heterogeneous nature of burns and subjective approaches in diagnosis and in outcome, many clinical studies cannot be compared and consensus can be hard to reach. Despite great effort, the mechanism of hypertrophic scarring is still poorly understood, partly due to the lack of animal models with scars similar to human hypertrophic scars. The porcine burn model is widely accepted as the best animal model. This article reviews porcine burn models from the literature and from our laboratory. It details the creation of burns from various methods, the determination of burn depth, the assessment of re-epithelialisation, and the evaluation of the subjective measurements of wound infection and clinical scar outcome. It describes that in our porcine model, burn of 40−50cm² with a pale appearance is deep dermal partial thickness, takes more than 3 weeks to completely re-epithelialise and heals with significant scarring that is similar to a human hypertrophic scar. It further draws attention to the relative quantitative approaches of most assessments conducted on our porcine burns/scars and verifies the subjective judgement of wound infection and clinical scar outcome. The information here not only provides essential elements for conducting porcine burn trials, but more importantly offers valuable knowledge for better burn care clinically and for improved clinical trials.

Abstract
Objective: To present some of our experience with Biobrane™ (a total of 703 patients in 7 years) in a range of uses in burn practice and to illustrate the caveats which we have found applicable in maintaining our success with this versatile material.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of theatre records, medical notes and photography database to categorise our experience with Biobrane™. Thorough assessment of our surgical and nursing protocols (both literature and experience influenced) to identify caveats for successful use.
Results: Pivotal steps are revealed in wound selection, wound preparation, material application, dressing and subsequent nursing care which have led to overwhelming success in definitive management of superficial partial to mid-dermal burns (ensuring pain relief, allowing early mobilisation, tolerance of dressing changes and therapy, and earlier hospital discharge). Its many uses in a broad range of common burn situations are demonstrated and tips provided to achieve best outcome.
Conclusions: Biobrane™ is not a panacea but it is extremely versatile. The different potential uses have learning curves and suggestions are provided to flatten these.