Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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The effect of presenting hypertension is poorly studied in combat casualties. We hypothesized that elevated mean arterial pressure (MAP) on presentation to combat hospitals would be associated with poor outcomes. ⋯ III.
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Stasis zone is the surrounding area of the coagulation zone which is an important part determining the extent of the necrosis in burn patients. In our study we aim to salvage the stasis zone by injecting adipose derived stromal vascular fraction (ADSVF). ⋯ Macroscopic and microscopic findings determined that ADSVF has a statistically significant benefit for salvaging stasis zone on acute burn injuries.
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The Baux score - the sum of age and total body surface area burned (TBSA %) - is a good predictor of mortality has a high specificity but low sensitivity. Our aim was to examine the causes of death in patients who die with Baux scores of <100, which may explain the lower sensitivity and possibly affect the prediction of mortality. ⋯ Patients with burns who died with a Baux score <100 were a quarter of all the patients who died. An important finding is that most of these deaths were caused by reasons other than the burn, usually cerebrovascular disease. This may be the explanation why the sensitivity of the Baux score is low, as factors other than age and TBSA % explain the fatal outcome.
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Platelet cells, or thrombocytes, have additional roles to haemostasis. After burn injury, platelet counts drop to a nadir at days 2-5 then rise to a peak between days 10-18. The nadir has previously been associated with mortality but there is currently no thorough investigation of its potential to predict sepsis in adults. The primary objective of this study is to assess whether platelet count can predict survival and sepsis in adults with severe burn injuries. ⋯ A reduced peak platelet count is a strong predictor of 50-day mortality. Platelet count nadir may have some association with sepsis.
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The aesthetic outcome after burn of exposed areas such as the hand and face is of high importance. A number of wound dressings used for the treatment of superficial and partial thickness burns promise rapid wound healing and reduced scarring. Previously, wound healing of hands and faces with superficial burns treated with Dressilk® compared to Biobrane® was evaluated intra-individually with similar results. Nevertheless, up to date objective information regarding the scarring after superficial burns treated with Dressilk® does not exist. ⋯ Dressilk® is an interesting alternative to Biobrane® for the treatment of superficial burns of aesthetic and functional important areas.