Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Necrotising soft tissue infections (NSTI) are destructive and often life-threatening infections of the skin and soft tissue, necessitating prompt recognition and aggressive medical and surgical treatment. After debridement, the aim of surgical closure and reconstruction is to minimize disability and optimize appearance. Although skin grafting may fulfil this role, techniques higher on the reconstructive ladder, including local, regional and free flaps, are sometimes undertaken. This systematic review sought to determine the circumstances when this is true, which flaps were most commonly employed, and for which anatomical areas. ⋯ Complex skin and soft tissue defects from NSTIs, not amenable to skin grafting, can be more effectively and durably covered using a spectrum of flaps. This systematic review highlights the important contribution that the plastic surgeon makes as an integral member of multidisciplinary teams managing these patients.
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Comparative Study
Comparison between the portable pressure measuring device and PicoPress® for garment pressure measurement on hypertrophic burn scar during compression therapy.
The current standard treatment for hypertrophic scars following burn injury is pressure garment therapy. The experimenters developed the novel portable pressure measuring device using silicon piezoresistive sensors. As PicoPress® is the most accurate (i.e., lowest variation and error) manometric sensor for pressure measurement, we sought to compare and examine the accuracy of the novel device regarding in vitro pressure measurements at the hypertrophic scar-pressure garment interface. ⋯ The novel device may present a viable alternative to PicoPress® for garment pressure measurements. In addition, the novel device improves adaptability to the hypertrophic scar shape and size. Complementary characteristics such as wireless transmission to an external device may allow burn patients to continuously wear the device for real-time measurements during pressure garment therapy, thus improving existing devices including PicoPress®.
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Review Meta Analysis
The efficacy and safety of fractional CO2 laser therapy in the treatment of burn scars: A meta-analysis.
Although we have numerous publications about the effect of fractional CO2 laser therapy for burn scars, quantitative data about its efficacy and safety are sparse. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy and safety of fractional CO2 laser therapy for the treatment of burn scars. Pertinent studies were identified by a search of PubMed, Embase and Web of Science up to 20 September 2020. ⋯ Side effects and complications induced by fractional CO2 laser were mild and tolerable. Fractional CO2 laser therapy significantly improved both the signs and symptoms of burn scars. Considering potential limitations, more large-scale, well-designed RCTs are needed to verify our findings.
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Physical function scoring of burn ICU patients is recommended but currently validated scores are lacking. ⋯ FAB-CC2 is associated with, and FAB-CC1 has predictive validity for, patient hospital discharge outcome. These findings, in conjunction with our earlier work, confirm clinical utility of the FAB-CC for burns ICU patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Butorphanol in combination with dexmedetomidine provides efficient pain management in adult burn patients.
This study aimed to compare the sedation and analgesic effects of butorphanol alone and butorphanol in combination with dexmedetomidine on dressing changes in adult burn patients. ⋯ Butorphanol combined with dexmedetomidine can reduce analgesic use of butorphanol during dressing change. This combination resulted in a higher sedation score and fewer adverse effects.