Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
-
Around 10%-20% of burned patients have inhalation injuries, and the severity of these injuries is correlated with mortality. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy is an important tool for the early diagnosis of inhalation injury. This study investigated correlations between the severity of inhalation injury and outcomes of patients involved in a cornstarch dust explosion in northern Taiwan in 2015. ⋯ Although the explosion resulted in a high rate of inhalation injuries in critically ill patients, there was no significant correlation between mortality and the severity of the inhalation injuries.
-
Observational Study
Assessing and addressing the problem of pain and distress during wound care procedures in paediatric patients with burns.
While the prevalence of burns in children is highest in low and middle-income countries, most research on burn-related pain intensity and distress is carried out in high-income countries. In this study we assessed pain intensity and distress in paediatric patients with burns undergoing wound care procedures without distraction and parental presence in a South-African children's hospital and sought to identify predictors for the outcomes. ⋯ In this study children received wound care procedures without distraction or parental presence and were assessed to have high pain intensity and distress. There is a correlation between age and COMFORT-B scores: younger children show higher distress, indicating a great need for better pain and distress control during wound care procedures. It is difficult to identify whether pain or distress is the specific primary cause for the high COMFORT-B scores.
-
The incidence of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-related burns has increased over recent years, and it has become a serious public health issue in developing countries such as India and Turkey. This paper aims to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of LPG-related burns to provide assistance and suggestions for planning prevention strategies. ⋯ Our study shows that the exponential increase in LPG-related burns is alarming. This calls for rigorous precautions. Because gas leak was the main cause of LPG-related burns, any part of LPG stove system that shows signs of weathering should be replaced regularly. In addition, we also found that most of the LAMA patients were uninsured. Thus, comprehensive medical insurance should be involved early in the recovery process to assure a safe and adequate discharge.
-
The epidemiology of burns is well described in the United States, Europe and Asia. However, few studies address this topic in the Levant region. This study aims to describe characteristics of burn victims treated at the emergency department of a tertiary care center in Beirut, Lebanon and to report on factors that affect ED disposition. ⋯ Characteristics of burn patients treated in an urban ED in Lebanon mirror those of burn victims in other international studies. Future larger epidemiologic studies are needed to better quantify the impact of burns in Lebanon.