Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Severely burned patients often suffer white blood cell and platelet drop following the injury. Though coagulopathy after burn injury have been reported, the association between leukopenia or thrombopenia and mortality is still unrevealed. To determine whether early drastic drops in white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets following injury can be prognostic markers in patients with major burns. ⋯ Early thrombopenia and lymphopenia were independent risk factors for 60-day mortality, and prolonged thrombopenia and monocytopenia were independent risk factors for mortality. These findings might shed light on mechanisms of immune response following severe burns.
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The prevalence of obese adults is rising across the world with a tripling of rates since 1975. The resuscitation of large burns in obese patients brings unique challenges leading some to advocate the use of a bariatric specific burn chart. ⋯ Bariatric specific charts did not demonstrate any benefits in optimising bariatric resuscitation. There appears to be a 'physiological benefit' in the class I obese who sustained burns undergoing resuscitation.
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We investigated effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) or low-flow extracorporeal life support (ECLS) as adjunctive treatments for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to inhalation injury and burns. We hypothesized that these interventions decrease histological end-organ damage. ⋯ Treatment with Auto MSC followed by Allo and then Nova were most effective in mitigating ARDS and MOF severity in this model. Further studies will elucidate the role of combination therapies of MSC and ECLS as comprehensive treatments for ARDS and MOF.
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Dissatisfaction is being voiced with the generally used way joint flexibility problems are defined (operationalised), i.e. as a range of motion (ROM) one or more degrees lower than normative ROM of healthy subjects. Other, specifically more function-related operationalisations have been proposed. The current study evaluated the effect of applying different operationalisations of joint flexibility problems on its prevalence. ⋯ The operationalisation of joint flexibility problems substantially influences prevalence, both on group and joint level. Changing to a function-related operationalisation seems valuable; however, international consensus is required regarding its adoption.
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International burn societies in many parts of the world have created electronic registries of burn centers in their region. No such directory exists for the continent of Africa. ⋯ This is the first known online directory of burn sites in Africa. Significant challenges exist identifying burn care providers in large portions of the continent.