Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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The Burn Specific Health Scale-Brief (BSHS-B) is recognized as a valid self-rating scale to evaluate quality of life after burn. ⋯ The results indicate good psychometric properties of the German BSHS-B. Further studies are needed to investigate the utility of the questionnaire in clinical routine practice, evaluation of burn management programs, and burn-specific research.
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Review Meta Analysis
Vasoconstrictor clysis in burn surgery and its impact on outcomes: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Clysis is the subcutaneous or subdermal injection of a vasopressor containing fluid, with or without local anaesthetic agent, and has been used to limit blood loss in patients undergoing surgical burn management. In this systematic review and meta-analysis we aimed to determine the impact of clysis of a vasoconstrictor on burn patient outcomes. ⋯ Few studies have adequately evaluated the impact of clysis in burn surgery on patient important outcomes such mortality, duration of surgery and graft success. These results suggest clysis may reduce the need for blood transfusion but additional high quality research is required.
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Burn scars are frequently accompanied with sensory deficits often remaining present months or even years after injury. Clinimetric properties of assessment tools remain understudied within burn literature. Tactile sense of touch can be examined with the touch pressure threshold (TPT) method using the Semmes Weinstein monofilament test (SWMT). ⋯ In the scar group intrarater ICC value was excellent (ICC=0.822/SEM=0.33). Within the control group also an excellent intrarater reliability (ICC=0.807/SEM=0.27) was found. In conclusion this study shows that the SWMT with the 'ascending descending' measurement procedure is a feasible and reliable objective measure to evaluate TPT in (older) upper extremities burn scars as well as in healthy skin.
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Malignant transformation on any scar tissue is known as Marjolin's ulcer. Most cases of Marjolin's ulcer reported so far occur in post-burn scars but not all ulcers that occur in post-burn scar are malignant. One hundred and forty cases of chronic non-healing ulcers in post-burn scar were included in this prospective observational study. ⋯ The Marjolin's ulcers were significantly larger in size than benign ulcers, and were mostly exophytic or ulcerative in appearance whereas benign ulcers were mostly flat. A non-healing ulcer in a post-burn scar should be addressed promptly because of its potential to develop into a malignant ulcer. Emphasis should be given to early surgical treatment of deep partial to full thickness burns to prevent scar formation, particularly over joints, and thus reduce the risk of development of Marjolin's ulcer.
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Intentional burns injuries are associated with high mortality rates, and for survivors, high levels of physical and psychological morbidity. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of intentional burn admissions to the adult Burns Unit at Bir Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal, during the period 2002-2013. ⋯ The majority of intentional burn patients were female. Almost all intentional burns occurred in the home and were caused by fire, with kerosene the most common accelerant used. Underlying psychosocial risk factors were identified in most cases. Intentional burns resulted in severe burns with high mortality. Intentional burns are not only a serious medical issue; they represent significant public health and gender issues in Nepal.