Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Comparative Study
Comparison of Laser Doppler Imaging (LDI) and clinical assessment in differentiating between superficial and deep partial thickness burn wounds.
To compare the accuracy of Laser Doppler Imaging (LDI) and clinical assessment in differentiating between superficial and deep partial thickness burns to decide whether early tangential excision and grafting or conservative management should be employed to optimize burn and patient management. ⋯ Predictive accuracy of LDI was found to be better than clinical assessment in the prediction of wound healing, the gold standard for wound healing being 21 days. As such it can prove to be a reliable and viable cost effective alternative per se to clinical assessment.
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Nitric oxide is a wound mediator that promotes wound healing. We hypothesized that topical application of nitric oxide would speed reepithelialization, enhance angiogenesis, and reduce scar thickness in a partial thickness porcine burn model. ⋯ Treatment of partial thickness porcine burns with high concentrations of topical NO resulted in earlier reepithelization and increased angiogenesis but not reduced scar thickness compared with its control vehicle in a partial thickness porcine burn model.
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The Renin Angiotensin System is involved in fibrotic pathologies in various organs such as heart, kidney and liver. Inhibition of this system by angiotensin converting enzyme antagonists, such as Captopril, has been shown beneficial effects on these pathologies. Captopril reduced the inflammatory reaction but also directly influenced the fibrotic process. ⋯ The local treatment showed reduced wound closure in comparison to the systemic treatment and the control group. Early Captopril treatment of burn wounds did not show the beneficial effects that were reported for fibrotic disorders in other tissues. To influence the fibrotic response Captopril treatment at a later time point, e.g. during the remodeling phase, might still have beneficial effects.
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The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency, severity, exact patterns and mechanisms of burn injuries in children. The patient records of children with acute burns admitted to the University Children's Hospital of Zurich were retrospectively reviewed over an 11year period. The age group with the highest risk, were children under the age of five (69%). ⋯ This study shows that burn etiology is age dependent. Additionally, our results demonstrate the diversity of burn accidents and their resulting injuries. These findings may help better specify target groups and subjects for prevention.