Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Review Meta Analysis
Wound contraction rate in excised and unexcised burn wounds with laser photobiomodulation: Systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies.
Laser photobiomodulation (laser PBM) is an effective means of accelerating burn wound contraction, however it is still unclear whether laser PBM produces greater benefit when applied directly to excised and unexcised burn wounds . The aim of this systematic review of preclinical studies was to determine the effectiveness of laser PBM in the wound contraction rate in excised and unexcised burn wounds. ⋯ In the animal model, laser PBM is effective in increasing the wound contraction rate in excised burns. However, due to the low certainty of the evidence, uncertainty remains about the true magnitude of the effect of laser on wound contraction in animals; our results should therefore be interpreted with caution.
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Previous analyses of tracheostomy in paediatric burns was hindered by a lack of multi-institution or nationwide analysis. This study aims to explore the effects of tracheostomy in paediatric burn patients in such an analysis. De-identified data was obtained from the TriNetX Research Network database. ⋯ The potential benefits of tracheostomy in paediatric burn patients should be weighed against these outcomes.
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This prospective longitudinal study investigated the changes in caregiving burden, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and quality of life (QoL) of primary caregivers of burn survivors 48 h, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the burn event. We also explored and identified relevant factors associated with these metrics. We collected data regarding the sociodemographic and injury characteristics of 69 caregivers and their survivors. ⋯ Among the caregivers of children, QoL decreased with increasing children's total burn surface area (TBSA) and length of hospital stays, caregivers being female, decreasing caregivers' age, increasing the time required to travel to and from the hospital, and increasing global and subjective burdens. Among the caregivers of adults, QoL decreased with increasing survivors' TBSA and caregivers' PTSD. Based on these results, several recommendations for implementation in clinical practice include integrating caregivers into care plans and encouraging active participation, providing learning and consultation channels, and encouraging caregivers to schedule breaks from caregiving activities.
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A European response plan to burn mass casualty incidents has been jointly developed by the European Commission and the European Burn Association. Upon request for assistance by an affected country, the plan outlines a mechanism for coordinated international assistance, aiming to alleviate the burden of care in the affected country and to offer adequate specialized care to all patients who can benefit from it. To that aim, Burn Assessment Teams are deployed to assess and triage patients. Their transportation priority recommendations are used to distribute outnumbering burn casualties to foreign burn centers. Following an appropriate medical evacuation, these casualties receive specialized care in those facilities. ⋯ The resulting 46 recommendations address four fields. Field 1 underlines the need for national preparedness plans and the necessary core items within such plans, including coordination and integration with an international response. Field 2 describes Burn Assessment Teams' roles, composition, training requirements, and reporting goals. Field 3 addresses the goals of specialized in-hospital triage, appropriate severity criteria, and their effects on priorities and triage. Finally, field 4 covers medical evacuations, including their timing and organization, the composition of evacuation teams and their assets, preparation, and the principles of en route care.