scholarly journals Massive burns: retrospective analysis of changes in outcomes indicators across 18 years

Author(s):  
Joachim N Meuli ◽  
Olivier Pantet ◽  
Mette M Berger ◽  
Laurent Waselle ◽  
Wassim Raffoul

Abstract Background The treatment and management of massive burns, defined as burns affecting≥ 50% of total body surface area (TBSA) has considerably changed since the 90s. This study aimed at analyzing if the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, the success of skin grafting operations and the mortality changed in the last 18 years. Methods Between 2000 and 2018, 77 patients were admitted for massive burns to the ICU of a university hospital. Transfers and early care withdrawal precluded inclusion for 38 patients, leaving 39 for analysis. Study variables were year of admission, demographics, burn characteristics, critical care treatment (fluid resuscitation, ventilation and nutrition) and surgical therapy. Association between outcomes and year of admission were assessed through correlation and logistic regression analysis. Potential confounders were assessed through stepwise linear regression. Results Patients’ characteristics were stable over time with a median age of 36[25.0, 48.0] years, burns 65% [55.0, 83.0] TBSA and deep burns 55% [50.0, 68.0] TBSA . Length of ICU stay remained stable at 0.97 [0.6, 1.5] days/%TBSA. Mortality was stable as well. Energy and carbohydrate delivery decreased in parallel with the number of infectious episodes per patient. Number of operations was stable but the take rate of skin grafts increased significantly. The multivariate analysis retained year of admission, weight, total number of infections, daily lipid intakes and fluid resuscitation as independent predicting variables, Conclusion Length of ICU stay and mortality did not change over time but skin grafts take rates improved significantly.

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen S. Romanowski ◽  
Tina L. Palmieri

Abstract Burn injury is a leading cause of unintentional death and injury in children, with the majority being minor (less than 10%). However, a significant number of children sustain burns greater than 15% total body surface area (TBSA), leading to the initiation of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome. These patients require IV fluid resuscitation to prevent burn shock and death. Prompt resuscitation is critical in pediatric patients due to their small circulating blood volumes. Delays in resuscitation can result in increased complications and increased mortality. The basic principles of resuscitation are the same in adults and children, with several key differences. The unique physiologic needs of children must be adequately addressed during resuscitation to optimize outcomes. In this review, we will discuss the history of fluid resuscitation, current resuscitation practices, and future directions of resuscitation for the pediatric burn population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-100
Author(s):  
John E Greenwood

After major burn injury, once survival is achieved by the immediate excision of all deep burn eschar, we are faced with a patient who is often physiologically well but with very extensive wounds. While very early grafting yields excellent results after the excision of small burns, it is not possible to achieve the same results once the wound size exceeds the available donor site. In patients where 50%–100% of the total body surface area is wound, we rely on serial skin graft harvest, from finite donor site resources, and the massive expansion of those harvested grafts to effect healing. The result is frequently disabling and dysaesthetic. Temporisation of the wounds both passively, with cadaver allograft, and actively, with dermal scaffolds, has been successfully employed to ameliorate some of the problems caused by our inability to definitively close wounds early. Recent advances in technology have demonstrated that superior functional and cosmetic outcomes can be achieved in actively temporised areas even when compared with definitive early closure with skin graft. This has several beneficial implications for both patient and surgeon, affecting the timing of definitive wound closure and creating a paradigm shift in the care of the burned patient.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Pompermaier ◽  
Moustafa Elmasry ◽  
Islam Abdelrahman ◽  
Mats Fredrikson ◽  
Folke Sjöberg ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Disparity between medical treatment for men and women has been recorded worldwide. However, it is difficult to find out if the disparities in both the use of resources and outcome depend entirely on sex-related discrimination. Our aim was to investigate if there are differences in burn treatments between the sexes. Methods All patients admitted with burns to Linköping University Hospital during the 16-year period 2000–2015 were included. Interventions were prospectively recorded using the validated Burn SCoring system (BSC). Data were analysed using a multivariable panel regression model adjusted for age, percentage total body surface area (%TBSA), and in-hospital mortality. Results A total of 1363 patients were included, who generated a total of 22,301 daily recordings while they were inpatients. Males were 70% (930/1363). Sex was not an independent factor for daily scores after adjustment for age, %TBSA, and mortality in hospital (model R2=0.60, p < 0.001). Conclusion We found no evidence of inequity between the sexes in treatments given in our burn centre when we had adjusted for size of burn, age, and mortality. BSC seems to be an appropriate model in which to evaluate sex-related differences in the delivery of treatments.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 642-648
Author(s):  
Kelly AA Kwa ◽  
Anouk Pijpe ◽  
Dirk de Korte ◽  
Annabel Snoeks ◽  
Roelf S Breederveld ◽  
...  

Objective: To investigate whether a fibrin sealant, Fitrix (Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation, The Netherlands), for fixation of skin grafts in children with burn wounds is less invasive and equally effective in comparison with skin staples. Method: A single-centre prospective observational cohort study was conducted. Children requiring skin grafting after burns were included and received the fibrin sealant. This group was compared with a retrospective control group of children whose skin grafts were fixed with skin staples. Study outcomes were graft take, graft dislocation, other wound complications, healing and need for sedation. Results: In the fibrin sealant and the control groups, 17 and 27 patients were included, respectively. The percentage of total body surface area (%TBSA) grafted was smaller (p=0.028) in the fibrin sealant group (median 1.0, interquartile range (IQR) 1.5 versus 2.0, IQR 2.5). There was no significant difference in graft take or wound healing. There were two graft dislocations in the fibrin sealant group and none in the control group. Other complications included a patient with graft failure in the fibrin sealant group, and another patient with a vanishing graft and wound infection in the control group. There were fewer sedations in the fibrin sealant group compared with the control group (one versus 20, p<0.0001). Conclusion: The fibrin sealant used in this study was non-inferior for the fixation of skin grafts in comparison with skin staples, and avoided sedation procedures.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S184-S185
Author(s):  
Eric Curfman ◽  
Anjay Khandelwal

Abstract Introduction Calcific Uremic Arteriolopathy (CUA), commonly known as Calciphylaxis, is a rare disorder characterized by ischemic necrosis of the skin and histologically by arteriolar calcification. CUA is most commonly seen in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) but can be seen in other patients as well. CUA carries an extremely high mortality rate, with up to 80% in some studies, even in patients with limited disease. In light of this, many surgeons have adopted a “do-not-touch” practice with these patients. Over the past several years, our institution has seen an increase in referrals for the management of large total-body-surface-area (TBSA) CUA. Methods Retrospective review of all patients with biopsy-proven (by dermatopathology) large TBSA (&gt;=5% TBSA) CUA admitted to a Verified Adult and Pediatric Burn Center from 2015 to present. Demographics, laboratory data, treatment modalities and outcomes including mortality and wound closure were recorded. Results A total of 8 patients with large TBSA CUA were admitted after being transferred from outside hospitals. Average TBSA affected was 13.76% (SD 7.27). 6 of these patients (75%) were noted to have non-uremic calciphylaxis. All patients had positive wound cultures on admission, and 1 patient (12.5%) developed a bacteremia in hospital. There were no central line associated bloodstream infections, catheter associated urinary tract infections or ventilator associated infections. All patients underwent surgical debridement (average 4.125, range 2–5), and 5 patients (62.5%) underwent grafting, (average 1.6, range 2–5) and subsequently proceeded to wound closure. In-hospital mortality was 25% and another patient was referred to a hospice facility after being readmitted with medical complications of her calciphylaxis. Secondary findings included 50% of the patients recently experienced significant weight loss (&gt;100 lbs). On admission, 2 patients (25%) had abnormal serum calcium, 3 patients (37.5%) had abnormal serum PO4, and 4 (50%) patients had abnormal PTH levels. 2 patients (25%) had a recent exposure to warfarin (within 6 months). Conclusions Utilizing a multi-modal management strategy that includes surgical debridement and skin grafting, patients with calciphylaxis can progress to wound closure.


Author(s):  
Samantha Huang ◽  
Katherine J Choi ◽  
Christopher H Pham ◽  
Zachary J Collier ◽  
Justin M Dang ◽  
...  

Abstract Tent fires are a growing issue in regions with large homeless populations given the rise in homelessness within the US and existing data that suggest worse outcomes in this population. The aim of this study is to describe the characteristics and outcomes of tent fire burn injuries in the homeless population. A retrospective review was conducted involving two verified regional burn centers with patients admitted for tent fire burns between January 2015 and December 2020. Variables recorded include demographics, injury characteristics, hospital course, and patient outcomes. Sixty-nine patients met the study inclusion criteria. The most common mechanisms of injury were by portable stove accident, assault, and tobacco or methamphetamine-related. Median percent total body surface area (%TBSA) burned was 6% (IQR 9%). Maximum depth of injury was partial thickness in 65% (n=45) and full thickness in 35% (n=24) of patients. Burns to the upper and lower extremities were present in 87% and 54% of patients, respectively. Median hospital Length-of-Stay (LOS) was 10 days (IQR=10.5) and median ICU LOS was 1 day (IQR=5). Inhalation injury was present in 14% (n=10) of patients. Surgical intervention was required in 43% (n=30) of patients, which included excision, debridement, skin grafting, and escharotomy. In-hospital mortality occurred in 4% (n=3) of patients. Tent fire burns are severe enough to require inpatient and ICU level of care. A high proportion of injuries involved the extremities and pose significant barriers to functional recovery in this vulnerable population. Strategies to prevent these injuries are paramount.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (11) ◽  
pp. 758-761
Author(s):  
Weiguang Ho ◽  
Christopher D. Jones ◽  
Daniel Widdowson ◽  
Hilal Bahia

Objective: It is widely accepted that the early debridement of burns improves outcome. There is increasing evidence that enzymatic debridement is an effective technique for removal of full-thickness and deep-dermal burns, reducing blood loss and often the need for autologous skin grafting by avoiding over excision of the burn. We aim to highlight the potential use of this form of debridement as an alternative to surgical management in patients with electronic cigarette (e-cigarette)-associated flame burn injuries. Methods: This case series presents the use of Nexobrid (MediWound Ltd, Israel), a non-surgical, bromelain-based enzymatic debridement technique, in patients with deep partial-thickness burns (range: 1–3% total body surface area), avoiding the need for autologous skin grafting. Results: Burn wounds in two patients healed within 14 days without complications or the need for further surgical intervention. Another patient required further dressings after discharge but failed to attend follow-up appointments. These results are comparable with those reported by others using conservative management of e-cigarette burns. Conclusion: The authors wish to raise awareness of the potential for a combination of thermal and chemical burns related to e-cigarette explosions. Chemical burns should be excluded by pH testing of the burn wound. From our experience, small e-cigarette-associated flame burns can be considered for management with enzymatic debridement.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 251584142097192
Author(s):  
G. Bryant Giles ◽  
Donovan S. Reed ◽  
Timothy A. Soeken ◽  
Brett W. Davies

Amniotic membrane grafts (AMGs) are commonly used to treat a variety of ophthalmologic conditions. Complications exist with permanent tarsorrhaphies, including the risk of re-fusion following tarsorrhaphy separation. We report a novel application of amniotic graft in lieu of skin grafts to protect the exposed marginal surface during the initial re-epithelialization period following release of a permanent tarsorrhaphy. We present a 24-year-old man who sustained an 80% total body surface area burn from a motor vehicle accident 16 months prior to presentation at our Oculoplastic service for evaluation of residual lagophthalmos. His original permanent tarsorrhaphies were removed; however, re-fusion occurred temporally in both sides. During a second attempt, AMGs were secured over the eyelid margins, leading to a successful tarsorrhaphy takedown without re-fusion. Periocular burn injuries present particular challenges, as cicatricial changes continue to evolve and viable skin graft areas diminish with each successive graft. In the setting of recurrent auto-tarsorrhaphy, the AMG has shown to be a viable alternative to standard skin grafting. This case demonstrates excellent results in a skin graft sparing procedure that is effective and efficient. Amniotic membrane grafting reduces morbidity by foregoing skin graft donor sites and can achieve similar functional and cosmetic results to standard skin grafting with reduced overall surgical time. As such, AMGs have the potential to supplant standard skin grafting in cases of recurrent auto-tarsorrhaphy, particularly in the setting of diminished available healthy skin tissue.


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