The use of hydrogen peroxide for achieving dermal hemostasis after burn excision in a patient with platelet dysfunction.

As a topical hemostatic agent, hydrogen peroxide (3%) has been applied to tangential excisions of burn patients. Hydrogen peroxide provides an adjunct to topical epinephrine for hemostasis and clinically has been most useful in patients with known platelet dysfunction. Hydrogen peroxide should be irrigated from the wound bed before the placement of skin grafting because of its potential to inhibit wound healing. In our experience, hydrogen peroxide (3%) soaks have not resulted in complications related to corrosive damage, oxygen gas formation, or lipid peroxidation that are associated with high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (30%). We also have experienced excellent skin graft take at the wound bed after using hydrogen peroxide.