Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A comparison on the scar development when done through overlapping versus approximating seams techniques - A clinical trial.
Skin autografting is performed widely for deep burn wounds as an ideal coverage. Scaring at the site of grafting has been always a challenge for surgeons. Many methods have been proposed to lessen the probability of scaring, but conflicting results have been obtained. It is said that the suture type is important in the development of scaring. Seams technique has also been introduced to decrease scar after autografting. ⋯ We compared two techniques of Seams between the normal skin and the graft edge for the first time. We showed that the AP method had a better Vancouver score compared to the OV regarding pigmentation, height, and pliability indices.
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Although mortality rates associated with burns have decreased, there is still a significant number of persons who may not survive severe forms of the injury and thus, undergo comfort/end of life care. The experiences of family members of persons whose injuries are deemed unsurvivable remain minimally explored and there is a general lack of practice guidelines and recommendations to support them at the end-of-life period. ⋯ Family members experience distress following the occurrence of burns and at the endof-life period. Practice recommendations should focus on communication, bereavement, and post-bereavement support.
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The objective of this work was to describe an efficient and sustainable outreach model in a resource-constrained environment, with a multifaceted approach focusing on national policy change, telemedicine, injury prevention, education and treatment of burns. ⋯ Broadly, our model could be an example of building sustainable outreach programs in resource-constrained environments. Through collaboration with local healthcare providers, we have developed and implemented an outreach program in a resource-constrained environment.
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The purpose of this systematic literature review is to critically evaluate split-thickness skin graft (STSG) donor-site morbidities. The search of peer-reviewed articles in three databases from January 2009 to July 2019 identified 4271 English-language publications reporting STSG donor-site clinical outcomes, complications, or quality of life. Of these studies, 77 met inclusion criteria for analysis. ⋯ Donor-site wounds underwent days of wound care and were frequently associated with pain and scarring. Widespread variations were noted in STSG donor-site outcomes likely due to inconsistencies in the definition of outcomes and utilization of various assessment tools. Understanding the true burden of donor sites may drive innovative treatments that would reduce the use of STSGs and address the associated morbidities.
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As compared to younger adults, older people have a greater risk of domestic accidents, such as burns, and their prognosis is worsened by a diminished physiological ability to face a thermal trauma. The in-hospital mortality is adversely affected by old age and burn size, whereas less is known about the long-term-survival in elderly patients who survive a burn injury. The aim of this study was to investigate if elderly burn patients after discharge from a Swedish National Burn Centre have a shorter remaining life compared to the national population, by using calculated remaining Life Expectancy (rLE). ⋯ We found that the long-time survival of elderly patients after burns is shorter than that of a national control, the magnitude of which is quantitatively important. The current study does not support that burn related factors account for this effect and the reason should therefore be sought in other factors, such as e.g., co-morbidity or psychosocial issues.