Fish Skin (Kerecis Omega 3 Wound®) vs Suprathel® in Deep Dermal Burns: An Intraindividual Comparison of Long-Term Scar Quality

Deep dermal burns pose a high risk for long-term functional and esthetic impairments. The choice of wound dressing following enzymatic debridement plays a critical role in modulating the healing response and scar formation. While both Kerecis® and Suprathel® have demonstrated clinical safety and efficacy, comparative long-term data remain limited. Kerecis®, being associated with accelerated wound healing in previous studies, was compared to Suprathel® in this study to evaluate functional and esthetic scar outcomes using an intraindividual study design. This prospective, intraindividual study included 21 patients with deep dermal burns of the hands and feet, who underwent enzymatic debridement using Nexobrid®. Each patient received treatment with both Kerecis® and Suprathel® on comparable burn areas, ensuring consistency in the comparison. Scar outcomes were evaluated at 3-, 6-, and 12-month post-treatment. Objective parameters such as skin pigmentation, elasticity, transepidermal water loss, and oxygen saturation were measured. Additionally, subjective esthetic, clinical, and functional parameters were assessed using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) and the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). At the 12-month follow-up, objective measurements demonstrated significant differences in erythema and gross elasticity, with Kerecis® exhibiting comparatively favorable outcomes. Subjective analyses indicated a significantly improved scar height and pliability for the Kerecis® group in the VSS and the POSAS observer scale. However, no significant differences were found in the POSAS Patient Scale. Both dressings provide satisfactory long-term scar outcomes in enzymatically debrided deep dermal burns, with Kerecis® showing trends toward more physiological scar characteristics in selected parameters, warranting further patient-centered research.