Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Case Reports
Skin injuries afflicting three oil workers following contact with calcium bromide and/or calcium chloride.
Calcium bromide brine is a highly concentrated aqueous solution of calcium bromide and calcium chloride. It is used extensively in the oil industry. This solution and its components are recognized as causes of skin injury and information is available from the manufacturers on their safe use and handling. ⋯ Furthermore healing was complicated by graft loss or was slow. Although organic bromine compounds are recognized as a cause of skin injuries, no previous reports of such injuries to humans secondary to calcium chloride or bromide exposure were found in the medical literature. Our experience with these patients is described.
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The fixation of skin grafts often poses a problem, particularly in patients who have undergone tangential excision and grafting for burns. Sutures, staples, fibrin glue and other adhesives have been used for graft fixation. We present the use of Opsite spray as a simple method for graft fixation and stabilization. Opsite markedly reduced pain and discomfort at the time of first graft dressing and obviated the necessity for an anaesthetic which is often required for the removal of staples.
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This is a retrospective study analysing 5264 patients treated in the burn centre at Gülhane Military Medical Academy from 1 January 1986 to 31 December 1995. Our burn centre is not only the first, but one of the best established and supported in Turkey. Our present study has the largest patient group of other previously published studies from Turkey. ⋯ The overall mortality among inpatients was 18.2 per cent and mean total body surface area (TBSA) was 57.6 per cent in patients who died. 134 patients demonstrated inhalation injury and 82 per cent of these patients died. The epidemiological pattern of our patients is similar to that in other studies from developed countries, although some ethnic causative factors could be found. Our study indicates that emergency measures should be taken to prevent flame injuries at military barracks and industrial workplaces and scalding accidents to children at home and throughout the country.
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Case Reports Clinical Trial
The use of an 'adhesive contact medium' (Hypafix) for split skin graft fixation: a 12-year review.
Since the introduction in 1985 of the technique of graft fixation with Hypafix, the method has been adapted for use in burns of all sites and extent, and has proven to be effective in over 500 burn patients. The technique is versatile, safe, simple, reliable and inexpensive. More importantly, there is a significant improvement in cosmesis due to the earlier introduction of an 'Adhesive Contact Media', the blending of the graft at the edges, and the lack of skin bridges and shoulders. ⋯ Graft fixation with Hypafix. Continuing use of appropriate 'contact media'. Continuing close supervision in a designated Burn Scar Clinic.