Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Inhalation injury in adult males: Evaluation of the short-term efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on pulmonary functions and diaphragmatic mobility after burn: A double-blind randomized controlled study.
Inhalation injuries can cause problems with diaphragmatic mobility and pulmonary function, which are accompanied by significant morbidity and mortality. No previous studies have determined the outcomes of acupoint transcutaneous electrical stimulation (Acu-TENS) in the treatment of inhalation burn injuries. The current study is therefore aimed at evaluating the influences of Acu-TENS on pulmonary functions and diaphragmatic mobility in adult-male patients experiencing after burn inhalation injury. ⋯ Depending on the study findings, Acu-TENS on bilateral Ding-Chuan points could be considered an effective approach for improving pulmonary functions and diaphragmatic mobility in patients with inhalation injuries after thermal burn. Future studies with a larger sample size and longer duration on different types of burn injuries are recommended.
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Burn care is centralized in highly specialized burn centers in Europe. These centers are of limited capacity and may be overwhelmed by a sudden surge in case of a burn mass casualty incident. Prior incidents in Europe and abroad have sustained high standards of care through well-orchestrated responses to share the burden of care in several burn centers. A burn mass casualty incident in Romania in 2015 sparked an initiative to strengthen the existing EU mechanisms. This paper aims to provide insight into developing a response plan for burn mass casualties within the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. ⋯ The European burn mass casualty response plan could enable the delivery of high-level burn care in the face of an overwhelming incident in an affected European country. Further steps for integration and implementation of the plan within the Union Civil Protection Mechanism framework are needed.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomized controlled trial: Comparison of one-per-mil tumescent technique and tourniquet in surgery for burn hand contracture in creating clear operative field and assessment of functional outcome.
This study aims to compare the use of one-per-mil tumescent solution (a mixture of epinephrine and 0.2% lidocaine in a ratio of 1:1,000,000 in normal saline solution) and tourniquet to create clear operative fields and to evaluate the functional outcomes after post burn hand contracture surgery. ⋯ The use of one-per-mil tumescent technique does not replace tourniquet use to create bloodless operative fields in burned hand contracture surgery. However, the postoperative functional results were similar in both groups showing that tumescent technique can be used as an alternative to tourniquet without compromising outcomes. The MDA and TNF-α examinations do not provide conclusive outcomes regarding ischemia and reperfusion injury.
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Only a few papers are published on the safety and effectiveness of acute burn care in low-income countries. A cohort study was therefore carried out to determine such outcomes. ⋯ In this resource-limited setting patients presented after a delay and with multiple complications. The mortality during the first two weeks after admission was high. Surgery was found to be safe and effective. A significant improvement in disability and quality of life was observed.
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Burn care is a relatively small, mutidisciplinary field with variability in practices between centers. Given these factors, survey studies are frequently used to better understand practice variations, establish guidelines, and direct future research. If survey research is poorly designed or reported, it limits the ability to form meaningful conclusions. This study evaluates the quality of survey studies published in burn care and determines areas of improvement to increase generalizability. ⋯ Survey reporting in the burn care literature is generally inconsistent, limiting the ability to apply this research into practice.