Objective  To investigate the therapeutic effect of the application of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) gel and the dressing of the irradiated pigskin graft in the treatment of small-area partial-thickness burn injury

and compare the outcomes with topically use of povidone iodine.  Methods  Totally 135 cases of patients with TBSA10% partial-thickness burns admitted in our hospital from March 2007 to March 2008 were randomly divided into 3 groups: rhEGF gel groups (n=53)

irradiated pigskin graft group (n=40) and PVP-I groups (povidone iodine

n=53). The wound healing time

prognosis and results after 1 year’s follow-up.  Results  With different treatments

the healing time: PVP-I grouprhEGF gel group irradiated pigskin graft group [(14.42±2.10)d vs (9.82±1.52)d vs (8.09±1.05)d]. Irradiated pigskin group and rhEGF gel group had better effect than the control group in the treatment of partial-thickness burn patients

and significantly shorten the average healing time of 3 to 5 d (P0.01). Irradiated pigskin graft group was slightly better than the rhEGF gel group (P0.05)

but the difference was not as significant as with the control group. Irradiated pigskin graft group and rhEGF gel group had good healing effect: lesser pain and doctor’s workload (P0.01) and lesser pigmentation and fewer scars in some patients after 1 year’s follow-up.  Conclusion  Irradiated pigskin graft and rhEGF have exact effect and sound prognosis in the treatment of partial-thickness burn

and they should be widely used.