Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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The successful use of a parascapular fasciocutaneous flap to cover an above-elbow amputation stump with exposed bone is described. Better stability of the stump to pressure (or manipulations), a relatively early one-stage surgical procedure and diminished possibility of later contracture leads to a better long-term outcome.
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During the period January 1988 to December 1989, medically treated burn injuries in The Netherlands were recorded prospectively by three registration systems. These systems cover patients treated in burn units, in general and university hospitals, and by general practitioners. Incidence rates and 95 per cent confidence intervals were calculated, and basic epidemiological data about severity and localization of the burns and about accident circumstances were collected. ⋯ Incidence rates are lowest among the elderly (55 years and over), but this age group suffers a higher mortality from burns. Furthermore, it appeared that males are more prone to serious burns than females, whereas female are more often treated for less severe burns. Most of the accident circumstances for serious burns were related to professions, whereas most of the circumstances for less severe burns were related to household activities.
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Thermoplastic road markings are used at similar temperatures to tar and bitumen and spillage onto skin causes similar contact burns. Most of these occupational burn injuries can be avoided by adherence to the manufacturer's recommendations about the wearing of protective clothing. Management and foremen of contractors using these materials need to ensure that their workers comply with safe procedures and wear the specified protective clothing.
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The charts of patients with burns covering more than 40 per cent of the body surface area (BSA) who were admitted to the Burn Unit of the Soroka Medical Center, Beersheva, Israel, between the years 1964 and 1988 were reviewed for mortality rate and causes of deaths. The factors affecting survival are reviewed and analysed.
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One-third of all admissions to the Wessex Regional Burns Unit (WRBU) are children under 5 years of age. These patients constitute a disproportionately large part of the workload in terms of nursing and medical care. A review of children admitted to the WRBU over a 5-year period was undertaken. ⋯ There was one death. In an extension to the main database, associations between clinical and physiological observations and morbidity were sought. The data suggest that behavioural changes, 'shock', profound lymphocytopenia and pyrexia greater than 39.5 degrees C should be treated as strongly suggestive of the development of complications in the early stages after injury.