Burns from Crans Montana are also treated with sea worm gel

Laboratories at the University Hospital in the Swiss canton of Vaud are working in emergency mode after a tragic fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans Montana, where dozens of people suffered extensive burns, writes Le Parisien.

Many patients have third-degree burns covering more than 60 percent of their bodies, which significantly limits the options for standard treatment. Autologous skin grafts are not possible due to a lack of undamaged skin, and donor skin poses too great a risk for immunocompromised patients.

Doctors are therefore turning to innovative, often still experimental methods. For example, they use collagen-rich cod skin, which serves as a natural bandage and protects the graft sites.

Another novelty is a gel made from marine worms, although its effectiveness has not yet been confirmed by clinical studies. Artificial skin, which laboratories can grow from a small piece of healthy skin, plays a key role.

According to preliminary data, the tragedy claimed 41 lives and left more than a hundred people injured.

(pir)