Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Venous thromboembolisms (VTE) including deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are serious complications following burn trauma. There are inconsistencies in the literature regarding thromboembolic prevention strategies and data suggests that complications occur despite chemoprophylaxis. ⋯ Chemoprophylaxis does not prevent VTEs. Burn severity predisposes to venous thromboembolic complications.
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Cigarette lighters are frequent vectors in intentional contact burns. Time and temperature needed to cause thermal injury are considered to differentiate accidental from inflicted burns. This study examines the minimum time needed to heat a cigarette lighter's top to temperatures capable of inflicting any clinically visible skin burn. This information could be useful in child abuse and other forensic cases. ⋯ Cigarette lighter burns are often blamed on non-intentional occurrences. At least 50s of sustained flame is needed to heat typical cigarette lighter tops to temperatures capable of inflicting clinically visible skin burns. This time is longer than the time required to light a cigarette. Therefore, for a cigarette lighter to inflict a contact burn injury, there needs to be intent and preparation, making accidental cigarette lighter burns unlikely.
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Burns are a major form of injury in children worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology, outcome, cost and risk factors of pediatric burns in southwest China. ⋯ In southwest China, among children under five years old, scald and flame burns should become the key prevention target, and future prevention strategies should be based on related risk factors.
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The aim of this prospective study in adult population is to give frequency data (prevalence, incidence) of burn wound sepsis and its consequences (organ dysfunction/failure); to analyze the evolution of the SOFA cumulative score during the disease and relationship between the SOFA score in the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21th day after burn with mortality. ⋯ Period prevalence of sepsis in our adult burned population was 26%. Incidence proportion as CI was 0.3 or 30 patients per 100 adults. Incidence rate (IR) was 6 patients with sepsis per 100 patient-years. Overall morbidity was 88.1% while overall mortality was 11.9%. Mortality in patients with sepsis was 34.4%. Incidence of MOD was 63% while incidence of MOF was 37%. Respective mortality as CI was 7% and 81% while mortality rate as IR was 1.4 per 100 patient-years in patients with MOD and 16.2 per 100 patient-years in patients with MOF. SOFA-3 should be considered a "reliable indicator" at separating survivors from non survivors and SOFA 7, 14, and 21 should be considered excellent in predicting mortality.
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Intravenous colistimethate sodium (CMS) use in burn center patients is increasing due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria. However, optimal dosing strategies and factors that may contribute to treatment failure are limited. The purpose of this study was to determine factors that may contribute to treatment failure in colistin-treated burn center patients. ⋯ Clinical success was significantly higher with larger intravenous CMS doses in burn center patients. Higher CMS doses were not found to be associated with increased nephrotoxicity within this patient group.