Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
-
Artificial red blood cells [i.e., hemoglobin vesicles (HbVs)] can be used as photosensitizers in pulsed-dye laser (PDL) treatment for port wine stains in animal models. Small HbVs are distributed in the vicinity of the endothelial cells of the blood vessels. In our previous in vivo experiments, both HbVs and red blood cells absorbed photons of the laser and generated heat, contributing to removal of very small blood vessels and large deeper subcutaneous blood vessels with PDL irradiation. ⋯ This beneficial effect in dye laser treatment for port wine stains may be the result of the antioxidative property of CO against free radicals in the zone of stasis that may still be theoretically viable in burns. This effect of CO protecting tissues from thermal damage is consistent with previous reports of CO as a reducing agent. If the reducing agent can be delivered directly to the affected area immediately after the burn injury, even in a small amount, the complex inflammatory cascade may be reduced and unnecessary inflammation after laser treatment that lowers the patient's quality of life can be avoided.
-
Burn referrals make up a significant proportion of the referrals received by the on-call Plastics surgery team at University Hospital Plymouth (UHP). UHP is a burns facility that takes referrals that are< 10% total body surface area (TBSA) in adults and< 5% in children. Since switching to a telemedicine service in 2018, this has had the benefit of not needing to see the patient face-to-face. It allows for direct advice given over the phone enabling immediate treatment to be administered. In addition it prevents unnecessary referrals. The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that more people are spending time at home and this study aims to see if this has had an impact on the number of referrals received. ⋯ There was an increase in the number of referrals during COVID-19. Overall there were a very low number of inappropriate referrals. The telemedicine system has impacted positively in time efficiency especially during COVID-19. It has meant that advice can be given without seeing the patient directly leading to both benefits for the patient and the department.