A 3-Years Pneumonia Incidence in Burn Cases with Inhalation Injury at the Burn Center of Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Surabaya in 2015-2018

Introduction: Inhalation injury is one of burns impact. Airway burns due to inhalation injury is a non-specific term which refer to all respiratory tract injuries occurred due to irritative chemicals, including heat and smoke during inspiration. Inhalation injury increases the risk of death in burns. Pneumonia is one of burns-related inhalation injury complications.Methods: This was a descriptive retrospective study aiming to determine the incidence of pneumonia in burn patients with inhalation injury using secondary data at Burn Center Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Surabaya in the period of January 2015 - December 2018.Results: There were 5 cases of pneumonia in 14 burn cases with inhalation injury (35.71%). Respectively, 2 and 3 cases were found in 2017 and 2018. There were 2 female (40%) and 3 male (60%) patients, with age varied within 28-73 years old. The burn area of burn patients with inhalation injury and pneumonia were found by 15%, 20%, 24%, 32% and 71%, or within the classification of 11-20% burn area, and most complication found was hypoalbuminemia, as much as 3 cases (60%).\Conclusion: Most pneumonia in burn cases with inhalation injury was occurred in 2018, dominated by male patients. The age of the patient were ranging from early adulthood to elderly. Most burns were in the range of 11-20% burn area with the most complication found was hypoalbuminemia.

The hidden danger of lithium battery powered electric bicycles and scooters: A case series of the Israeli National Burn Center experience

Electric powered bicycles and scooters that use rechargeable lithium batteries are an urban transportation alternative and have become increasingly popular. However, in recent years, there has been an increase in patient admissions to the Israeli National Burn Center with burns associated with their use. In this case series of all patients (n=9) referred to the Emergency Department (February 2016 - October 2020) with lithium related battery burns from electric powered bicycles and scooters, we present burn depth, size, treatment, inhalation injuries and hospitalization. All patients were admitted to in the Israeli National Burn Center for treatment. The average total burn surface area was 27.5% (range 3-57%). All but one patient had a combination of partial to full-thickness burns affecting the upper and lower limbs. Three patients sustained inhalation injuries and a total of four patients required intubation. Seven patients required surgery that included debridement and, in most cases, skin grafting. The availability and increase in the use of battery powered bicycles and scooters may lead to an increase in injuries and death if consumers are not aware of the potential dangers related to the safe use of lithium batteries.

Development of a Unified National Database of Burn Centers with Co-located Emergency Departments, 2020

The care of severely burned patients comes with unique requirements for specialized burn centers. The American Burn Association sets guidelines for burn centers and provides a voluntary program to verify their quality of care. However, not all burn centers are verified, and it is unclear which nonverified centers have met requirements set by their state health departments. To compile a complete database of all United States emergency departments in facilities with confirmed burn centers, we investigated state requirements to supplement data from the American Burn Association verification process. In 2020, only 13 states set requirements for burn centers; 3 states explicitly required American Burn Association verification, 4 used modified American Burn Association criteria, and 6 used alternate criteria. Only 2 states had separate requirements for pediatric burn centers. Based on adherence to state and American Burn Association criteria, we identified 90 confirmed burn centers in 2020, 85 of which had emergency departments. Of these 85, 45 (53%) were only verified, 17 (20%) were only state-confirmed, and 23 (27%) were both. Emergency departments in a confirmed burn center were more likely—than those without—to have higher adult and pediatric visit volumes, be academic, be a stroke or trauma (adult or pediatric) center, have a dedicated pediatric area, and have a pediatric emergency care coordinator. We compiled the first unified burn center database that incorporates state and American Burn Association lists. This database can be utilized in future health services research and is available to the public through a smartphone application.

The Effects Of Rapid Rewarming On Tissue Salvage In Severe Frostbite Injury

Frostbite is a high morbidity injury caused by soft tissue freezing, which can lead to digit necrosis requiring amputation. Rapid rewarming is a first line treatment method that involves placing affected digits into a warm water bath. This study aims to assess the clinical practices for frostbite at facilities outside of dedicated burn centers, and any impact these practices have on tissue salvage. Retrospective chart review at a single burn center identified frostbite patients admitted directly or as transfers over a seven-year period. Records were reviewed to identify initial treatment strategies. If given, time to thrombolytics from admit was noted. Tissue salvage rates were calculated from radiologically derived tissue at-risk scores and final amputation scores. One-hundred patients were transferred from outside facilities, and 108 were direct admissions (N=208). There was no significant difference in group demographics. Rapid rewarming was the initial treatment modality more commonly in direct admit patients (P=0.016). The use of rapid rewarming did not correlate with tissue salvage (P=0.112). Early use of thrombolytics had a positive impact on tissue salvage (P=0.003). Thrombolytics were given 1.2 hours earlier in direct admit patients (P=0.029), however there was no difference in tissue salvage rates between the groups (P=0.127). Efforts should focus on larger scale study to further assess the effectiveness of rapid rewarming. Although rapid rewarming did not significantly impact tissue salvage in this study, we continue to recommend its use over less studied treatment methods, and continue to view it as an important bridge to burn center transfer and administration of thrombolytic therapy.

Most prominent factors contributing to burn injury-related amputations: an analysis of a referral Burn Center

Amputations are un-common surgical procedures in patients with severe burn injuries. However, these patients often face extreme physical and psychological challenges that result in social stigmatization and inadequate rehabilitation facilities. A retrospective cohort study was designed for the patients admitted to the Burn Center of Adana City Training and Research Hospital (ACTRH). During the study period, a total of 2007 patients aged 0.5 to 92 years were hospitalized and treated at the burn center from January 2016 to June 2020. The incidence of amputation observed among inpatient burn injuries regardless of the etiology was 1.9%, and 87.2% were male. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to detect the most prominent factors contributing to burn injury-related amputations. The cause of burns appears to be one of the main factors in the past research, and in this context, the electrical burns stand out, likewise, the fire-flame-related burns, full-thickness burns, the existence of infection, male gender, patients aged within the 18 to 64 age group, and the burn extent within the total body surface area (TBSA) range of 10 to <50% were found to be the most leading factors of amputations among patients having severe burns. Although they are rare, amputations related to burns commonly cause a decrease in quality of life. Therefore, besides increasing occupational health and safety methods for these risk groups, especially for adults of working age; also, it is essential to increase the importance and awareness of the precautions to be taken in daily life.

Changes in burn wound microbiology profile over 14 years of an adult tertiary burn center

Burn wound colonization can progress to invasive infection. During 14 years of this study, the burn center was relocated to a center with improved infrastructure. This study investigates the association that infrastructure, geography and time may have on colonization. Data were collected Oct-2004 to Aug-2018, relocation took place June-2010, defining the two study periods. Admission swabs were within 48 hours. Unique isolates and resistance data were analyzed and compared statistically between two study periods. 2,001 patients with 24,226 wound swabs were included. Median age 45.4 [IQR30.2-61.6], length of stay 11 days [IQR6-21] and %TBSA 5.5 [IQR2.5-11]. Staph. aureus (33.7/100 patients) and Pseudomonas spp. (13.1/100 patients) were the most prevalent bacterial growths. After admission, prevalence of MRSA, coliform spp. and Aci. baumanni were greater in first site, candida spp. colonization was higher in the second study period site. Prevalence of patients affected by multi-drug resistant organisms was lower in the second study site, 13.5/100 patients vs 16.6/100 patients, p<0.05. There are differences in burn wound colonization across time, within the same region. Candidal spp. growth has been shown to be increased over time and represents an added challenge. Awareness facilitates effective empirical antimicrobial therapies and protocols locally.

Cases of Lower Extremity and Perianal Burns at the Burn Center in the Southeast Anatolia of Turkey

Introduction: In this study, the aim is to discuss the cases of lower extremity and perianal burns at the burn center in the southeast Anatolia of Turkey. Material and methods: A 4-year retrospective study was conducted on 775 patients who had been admitted to Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital Burn Centre with lower extremity and perianal burn injuries between January 2016 and January 2020. Results: Of the patients, 427 were male and 348 were female. Scald burns are most commonly affect the perianal and lower extremities. The right lower extremity was affected in 602 (77.7%) patients, the left lower extremity was affected in 574 (74.1%) patients and the perineum was affected in 70 (9.0%) patients. Most burn injuries occur in individuals between 0 to 4 years old, and the rate of burn injuries gradually decreases in individuals outside of this age range. No patient underwent colostomy for perianal burns. Conclusion: Early, aggressive and extensive debridement, in addition to adequate antimicrobial therapy, should be performed as the basis of treatment.

A case of burn evisceration with full-thickness injury to abdominal wall, bowel, bladder, and three extremities

Background Severe electrical burns are a rare cause of admission to major burn centers. Incidence of electrical injury causing full-thickness injury to viscera is an increasingly scarce, but severe presentation requiring rapid intervention. We report one of few cases of a patient with full-thickness electrical injury to the abdominal wall, bowel, and bladder. Case report The patient, a 22-year-old male, was transferred to our institution from his local hospital after sustaining a suspected electrical burn. On arrival the patient was noted to have severe burn injuries to the lower abdominal wall with evisceration of multiple loops of burned small bowel as well as burns to the groin, left upper, and bilateral lower extremities. In the trauma bay, primary and secondary surveys were completed, and the patient was taken for CT imaging and then emergently to the operating room. On exploration, the patient had massive full-thickness burns to the lower abdominal wall, five full-thickness burns to small bowel, and intraperitoneal bladder rupture secondary to full-thickness burn. The patient underwent damage-control laparotomy including enterectomies, debridement of bladder coagulative necrosis, and layered closure of bladder injury followed by temporary abdominal closure with vacuum dressing. The patient also underwent right leg escharotomy and partial right foot fasciotomies. The patient was subsequently transferred to the nearest burn center for continued resuscitation and comprehensive burn care. Conclusion Severe electrical burns can be associated with devastating visceral injuries in rare cases. Though uncommon, these injuries are associated with very high mortality rates. The authors assert that rapid evaluation and initial stabilization following ATLS guidelines, damage-control laparotomy, and goal-directed resuscitation in concert with transfer to a major burn center are essential in effecting a successful outcome in these challenging cases.