Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Review Meta Analysis
Epidemiology and socio-demographic risk factors of self-immolation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Self-immolation or self-inflicted burn is the most tragic and violent method of suicide. The higher prevalence of this dramatic phenomenon in Iran is a serious social and health problem. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis to combine the results from available studies to examine the epidemiology and socio-demographic characteristics of individuals who attempted self-immolation in Iran. ⋯ Our study indicated that individuals who attempted self-immolation in Iran were mainly women, married and young adults.
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Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are mucocutaneous hypersensitivity reactions, usually to drugs or their metabolites. TEN is the most severe involving greater than 30% of the total body surface area (TBSA). Management of these patients usually benefits from a large multidisciplinary team for both wound and medical management. Treatment of these patients varies between centers and physicians and there is lack of a standardized treatment protocol in the medical literature. ⋯ SJS and TEN are a spectrum of severe mucocutaneous reactions that have unclear treatment recommendations within the literature and within our Level 1 hospital. Information gleaned from this research will help educate physicians involved in the treatment and management of patients with these diagnoses and has resulted in development of treatment guidelines in our hospital.
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The well documented susceptibility of burn patients to acquired infections via damaged skin mandates application of antimicrobial agents. These agents are dissolved in various vehicles that augment skin absorption thus allowing greater efficacy. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and Propylene glycol (PropG) are among the most commonly used vehicles, and both have been used in numerous medications and cosmetic products over the past few decades. Rarely, burn patients treated with agents containing these glycols present with a life threatening systemic toxidrome of hyperosmolar metabolic acidosis. We present a systematic review of outcomes in burn patients treated with similar agents. ⋯ This first systematic review found very few cases of documented hyperosmolar metabolic acidosis, all within one study that had set to specifically explore this toxidrome. High index of suspicion with frequent osmolar gap monitoring may help identify future toxicities in a timely manner.
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Pruritus, a common, chronically disabling condition is often refractory to treatment. The pruritus sensation is mediated in the spinal cord and post-burn pruritus is considered a form of neuropathic pain. We investigated cold pack therapy as a treatment modality for post-burn pruritus. ⋯ Cold pack therapy, a non-invasive, non-pharmacological treatment modality significantly reduces post-burn pruritus and could be useful in burn patients.
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Controlled Clinical Trial
Influence on clinical parameters of depressomassage (part I): The effects of depressomassage on color and transepidermal water loss rate in burn scars: A pilot comparative controlled study.
Depressomassage is a non-invasive massage technique using a mechanical suction device that is used in the treatment of traumatic or burn scars. Since color and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) are respectively the most important physical and physiological characteristic of hypertrophic scar formation, we wanted to investigate the effects of depressomassage on the recovery of color and TEWL in burn scars compared to the traditional physiotherapy. ⋯ In practice, precise indications to begin depressomassage have to be kept in mind. Perhaps other scar abnormalities such as decreased elasticity, increased thickness, excessive pain or itching could be sufficient reasons to begin depressomassage and should be assessed.